Best magnesium supplements UK 2026, tried and tested by health experts
Find our reviews of the best magnesium supplements available in the UK, tried and tested
Magnesium is a key mineral in the body that plays an important role in a host of different functions, from regulating muscle contractions and blood pressure to helping with energy production and blood sugar balance. It even supports healthy sleep and mood. In foods, magnesium is found in nuts, seeds and leafy green veg. Most people will be able to increase their intake through diet, however you could also consider choosing to take a supplement to help support your levels. In our search for the best magnesium supplements, we consulted nutritionist Kerry Torres and tried a range of capsules, bath salts, body oils and drinks, including Prowise Advanced 4 in 1 Magnesium Complex and Inessa Calcium and Magnesium; both among our top picks for 2026. We tested them for potency and taste as well as evaluating the nutrient profile, number of additives and whether they're suitable for vegans, coeliacs and other dietary requirements. If you're looking for more information, read our guide to the best magnesium supplements for sleep. Our friends at Good Food have a guide to the health benefits of magnesium, plus a guide to the vital vitamins you need. Jump to: Best magnesium supplements at a glance Best UK magnesium supplement What form of magnesium should I choose? How much magnesium do I need? Best magnesium for sleep Best magnesium supplements at a glance Best calcium and magnesium blend: Inessa Calcium and Magnesium, £24.99 Best advanced formula: Prowise Advanced 4 in 1 Magnesium Complex, £9.99 Best all-round magnesium supplement: Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1, £9.99 Best multi-form magnesium: Swallow Pro Magnesium 4 Complex for Sleep and Energy, £30 Best magnesium for bone health: Vitabright Magnesium Citrate, £19.99 Best magnesium for sleep: Heights Magnesium+, £20 Best premium magnesium powder: Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder, £40.90 Best magnesium with added vitamins: New Nordic Magic Magnesium Glycinate Tablets, £49.99 Best magnesium for digestion: Holland & Barrett magnesium, £9.45 Best magnesium supplements to buy in the UK 2026 Inessa Calcium and Magnesium Available from Inessa (£24.99) Best calcium and magnesium blend Star rating: 5/5 Each capsule provides 165mg calcium and 82.5mg magnesium, giving a 2:1 ratio that supports bones, muscles and nerve function. The formula is clean, uses marine-sourced minerals and is easy to fit into a routine with flexible dosing. If you are looking for more magnesium, the brand also offers a standalone magnesium version delivering 306mg per day (two capsules), using three forms. Available from: Inessa (£24.99) Prowise Advanced 4 in 1 Magnesium Complex Available from Prowise (£9.99), Amazon (£9.89), Superdrug (£9.99) Best advanced formula Star rating: 5/5 This advanced magnesium complex supplement combines magnesium glycinate (commonly recommended for sleep), magnesium citrate (to support bone health and help reduce anxiety) and magnesium malate (to ease muscle tension). Together these forms aim to deliver a broad range of benefits for overall wellbeing. The formula provides your full daily requirement of magnesium and offers excellent value. Available from: Prowise (£9.99) Amazon (£9.89) Superdrug (£9.99) Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1 Available from Amazon (£9.99), Nutrition Geeks (£9.99) Best all-round magnesium supplement Star rating: 5/5 Primarily magnesium glycinate (advised for sleep), these capsules also contain the compounds magnesium citrate (for bone health to reduce anxiety) and magnesium malate (to reduce muscle tension) – hopefully bringing you the range of benefits! All in all, they provide your complete daily requirement of magnesium at just 16p a day. Available from: Nutrition Geeks (£9.99) Amazon (£9.99) Swallow Pro Magnesium 4 Complex for Sleep and Energy Available from The Swallow Co (£30) Best multi-form magnesium Star rating: 4.5/5 A more complete magnesium than most. Each serving gives 300mg elemental magnesium from four forms, so it covers more bases than single-form options. It also includes zinc, B6 and vitamin D3, making it more of an all-in-one blend. A strong option if you want a higher dose and broader support, though the extras may not suit everyone. Available from: The Swallow Co (£30) Vitabright Magnesium Citrate Available from Vitabright (£16.99), Amazon (£15.87) Best magnesium supplement for bone health Star rating: 4.5/5 This form of magnesium is designed to be well absorbed by the body and contribute to the maintenance of normal bones. Providing 118% of the daily reference intake, these capsules are free from bulking agents and common allergens. A strong option if you’re specifically looking to support bone health, with a clean formulation that makes it a good choice as an easy-to-take everyday supplement. Available from: Vitabright (£16.99) Amazon (£15.87) Heights Magnesium+ Available from Heights (£20) Best magnesium for sleep Star rating: 4.5/5 Take two of these filler-free capsules before bed to help your sleep. They contain 80 per cent of your recommended allowance of magnesium glycinate. Sign up to the easily cancellable subscription service for discounts and automated delivery to ensure you never run out. Available from: Heights (£20) Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder Available from Healf (£40.90) Best premium magnesium powder Star rating: 4/5 Thorne uses magnesium bisglycinate, a form known for being easier on digestion and better absorbed than cheaper alternatives like oxide. This is more expensive than most single-ingredient options, at around £1.35 per serving, but the powder format gives you flexibility with dosing. The powder form does mean an extra step compared to capsules. It mixes easily enough and has a mild sweetness from monk fruit, so it is not completely neutral. Available from: Healf (£40.90) New Nordic Magic Magnesium Glycinate Tablets Available from Holland & Barrett (£49.99) Star rating: 3.5/5 This takes more of an all-in-one approach than a straight magnesium supplement. You still get magnesium bisglycinate, a well-absorbed form, but it is paired with B vitamins, vitamin D and botanical extracts. The magnesium dose sits at 240mg per serving, so it is moderate rather than high. There is quite a lot going on in the formula, which may appeal if you want everything in one place, but it also means you are paying a premium for ingredients beyond magnesium itself. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£49.99) Holland & Barrett magnesium Available from Holland & Barrett (£9.45) Best magnesium supplement for digestion Star rating: 3.5/5 Among the lesser known attributes of magnesium are its digestive benefits. Magnesium oxide (of which these capsules contain 375mg), can help with constipation, heartburn and general digestion. These 1-a-day tablets are great value at 7p a day, but do contain some bulking agents and additives. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£9.45) What form of magnesium should I choose? Magnesium comes in a number of different forms, which can be chosen depending on individual health needs. It is usually provided in compound form in supplements, and sometimes the partner element can bring health benefits of its own. Forms and uses include: For energy: Magnesium malate / orortate For anxiety or mood: Magnesium citrate / lactate / l-threonate / glycinate / chloride For digestion, including constipation: Magnesium citrate / lactate / oxide / sulfate For heartburn: Magnesium oxide / chloride / carbonate For sleep: Magnesium glycinate / chloride For heart health: Magnesium taurate / orotate For bone health: Magnesium citrate For muscle tension: Magnesium malate / sulfate Supplements come in capsules and gummies, in drinks, and via the skin in bath salts, body oils and sprays. However, there’s limited quality research on how much magnesium can be absorbed via the skin so it’s impossible to gauge whether bath and oil products can help you reach your Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). Capsules and drinks are usually a more accurate way to ensure you’re getting the benefits of the added magnesium. How much magnesium do I need? The Nutrient Reference Value (average recommended daily amount) of magnesium is 375mg, however how much magnesium you should be looking to include will depend on individual factors including age, gender, life stage and any health or dietary issues you might have. Make sure you’re checking the ‘elemental magnesium’ amount on the label, as a compound (for instance, magnesium oxide) won’t contain as much magnesium as the pure form. Best magnesium for sleep There are a number of forms of magnesium and the most useful ones for sleep are glycinate and chloride. If you're looking to relax your body before getting into bed, magnesium chloride has a calming effect on the nervous system which can help with sleep. Stress and anxiety can be disruptive to sleep, and magnesium glycinate is useful for these conditions. It can also help with insomnia as a lack of this form of magnesium can cause you to wake up every few hours and is a main symptom of a magnesium deficiency. Read our guide to how to have a better nights sleep for more tips. Related content Best vitamin B12 supplement Best ashwagandha supplement UK Best supplement for sleep Best vegan protein powder 6 supplements experts take 5 most talked about supplements – which to take and which to avoid 8 natural energy boosters to try 20 foods that give you energy 'Why am I always tired?' An expert explains Best probiotics UK Best protein powder Best vitamin D supplement UK Best greens powder Best mushroom supplements
Best omega 3 supplements UK 2026, tried and tested by experts
Our team have put a range of omega 3 supplements to the test to help you find the right one to fit your routine
Omega 3 is a fatty acid that's classified as 'essential' because it is necessary for our bodies to function correctly. Although used in the membrane of every cell in the body, as well as being important for other functions, we cannot create or synthesise it – we need to get it from the food we eat. Good natural sources of omega 3 include oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, as well as plant sources like flaxseed and chia seeds. If you're looking to supplement your omega 3 intake it can be hard to cut through the noise and find one that's effective and offers value for money. We've tried and tested a range of omega 3 supplements for criteria like sustainability, ease of use, quality, purity and dosage, like one of our favourites for 2026 is Seven Seas Omega-3 Max Strength with Vitamin D. Read on to find the best omega 3 supplement for you. Jump to: Best omega 3 supplement UK at a glance Best omega 3 supplement UK to buy 2026 Why we need omega 3? What are omega 3 fatty acids? What is the most effective form of omega 3? What to look for in an omega 3 supplement Best omega 3 supplement UK at a glance Best high-strength omega 3 supplement: Seven Seas Omega-3 Max Strength with vitamin D, £21 Best high-strength omega-3: Swallow Co Pro Omega 3, £30 Best convenient omega-3: Inessa Advanced Omega 3 Fish Oil, £24.99 Best softgel omega 3 supplement: WeightWorld Omega-3 2000mg fish oil, £18.99 Best everyday omega 3 supplement: Vitabright Omega-3 2000mg fish oil, £25.99 Best affordable omega 3 supplement: California Gold Nutrition Premium omega-3 fish oil, £11.23 Runner up affordable omega 3 supplement: Holland & Barrett omega-3 fish oil 1500mg, £25.99 Best vegan omega 3 supplement: Together Health Omega-3 – algae vegan source, £14.99 Best liquid omega 3 supplement: Viridian Organic Rainbow Trout Oil, £30.15 Best omega 3 supplement for small capsules: Feel vegan omega 3, £35.04 Best sustainably sourced omega 3 supplement: BioCare Vegan omega 3 (Algal DHA and EPA), £30.19 Best blowout omega 3 supplement: Wild Nutrition Pure Strength omega 3, £38 Best easy-to-take omega 3 supplement: Vitl omega 3, £10.99 Best omega 3 supplement UK to buy 2026 Seven Seas Omega-3 Max Strength with vitamin D Available from Boots (£21), Ocado (£22) Best high-strength omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 With a single daily capsule, this omega-3 supplement delivers 1,250mg of fish oil providing about 1,063mg of omega-3 plus vitamin D, supporting normal heart, brain, vision, bone and immune health. The one-a-day dose makes it convenient to take, and the capsule dose is straightforward without needing multiple pills. We found the capsule size larger than average, but generally these are high potency, good quality and easy to swallow with a glass of water. Available from: Boots (£21) Ocado (£22) The Swallow Co Pro Omega 3 Available from The Swallow Co (£30) Best high-strength omega 3 Star rating: 4.5/5 This is a high-strength option with a premium feel, at £1 per two-capsule serving. Each serving delivers 1,100mg omega-3 (660mg EPA and 440mg DHA), putting it above many standard fish oils. Softgels are easy to take with no fishy aftertaste and the formula stays clean with added vitamin E. Careful sourcing is a highlight too, with Friend of the Sea certification, lab testing and a Nourish Award backing the updated formula. Available from: The Swallow Co (£30) Inessa Advanced Omega 3 Fish Oil – 1200mg Available from Inessa (£24.99) Best one-a-day high-potency omega-3 Star rating: 4.5/5 Inessa is an easy high-strength option to stick with. Each capsule provides 480mg EPA and 360mg DHA, so you get a solid dose without needing to take multiples throughout the day. The one-a-day format keeps things simple. The softgel is slightly large and there’s a faint fishy smell on opening but it’s easy enough to take. Quality stands out, with triglyceride-form fish oil, IFOS certification and a clean, minimal formula. Available from: Inessa (£24.99) WeightWorld Omega-3 2000mg fish oil Available from Weight World (£18.99), Amazon (£18.68) Best softgel omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 At 16p per softgel capsule, this omega 3 supplement offers a good value for money. This supplement is small and easy to swallow, although the dose is two daily. We did find there was a slight fishy odour from the bottle but this didn't translate to taste when we took the supplement. The omega 3 in here has high level of EPA/DHA from sustainably sourced wild anchovies, with contaminate free oils. Although the source is sustainable, we would have liked to see some more information about recycling on the packaging. Available from: Weight World (£18.99) Amazon (£18.68) Vitabright Omega-3 2000mg fish oil Available from Vitabright (£25.99), Amazon (£20.99) Best everyday omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 This supplement is in the form of capsules rather than softgels, but we still found it easy enough to swallow two of them, as instructed daily with food. While there's certainly a fishy smell when you open the bottle we didn't find the supplement fishy tasting which meant we were happy to take it alongside a meal. The fish oil used here is sustainably sourced although from multiple oceans, but we were impressed that there are no filler oils or bulking agents used. Available from: Vitabright (£25.99) Amazon (£20.99) California Gold Nutrition Omega-3 Premium fish oil Available from iHerb (£11.23) Best affordable omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 We were impressed that these softgels didn't have a particularly fishy odour or taste, although we did find it tricky to swallow the two large capsules required for the daily dose. They are made with gelatine sourced from fish (tilapia) rather than a bovine or porcine equivalent, the oils are distilled for purity and sourced from named varieties of fish. Available from: iHerb (£11.23) Together Health Omega-3 – algae vegan source Available from Superdrug (£14.99), Waitrose & Partners (£14), Bodykind (£13.49) Best vegan omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 If you have a vegan diet or find the fishy smell and taste associated with omega 3 difficult, this supplement could be a good option. They use algae oil, which is a concentrated source of omega 3, particularly DHA. This meant on test we found they had a neutral taste and only a slight grassy smell which wasn't unpleasant. Available from: Superdrug (£14.99) Waitrose & Partners (£14) Bodykind (£13.49) Viridian Organic Rainbow Trout Oil Available from Victoria Health (£30.15) Best liquid omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4.5/5 For those who don't like swallowing pills, this liquid could be the answer. Our testers were pleasantly surprised by the flavour: it contains lemon and orange oils, so there is a light scent and gentle flavour of citrus on top of a relatively neutral oil. There's no taste or smell of fish at all. Certified Soil Association organic (which has sustainability requirements built in), 1 tsp provides a total of 520mg EPA and DHA (the recommended, long-chain fatty acids most useful to your body). But it also contains other types of omega 3s, 6s, and even omega 7 and omega 9 for the most complete spectrum of all the samples tested. Available from: Victoria Health (£30.15) Feel Vegan omega 3 Available from Feel (£35.04) Best omega 3 supplement for small capsules Star rating: 4/5 This supplement uses a vegan source of omega 3, derived from algae. In the pack, you get a monthly dose with two of the small capsules making up a daily amount. Each daily serving delivers an adequate 300mg of DHA and 150mg of EPA. If you're looking for a vegan supplement to avoid the fishy taste often associated with omega 3, it's worth noting we found these capsules smelled and tasted like seaweed. Available from: Feel (£35.04) BioCare Vegan omega-3 (Algal DHA and EPA) Available from revital (£20.71), Amazon (£25.39), BioCare (£30.19) Best sustainably sourced omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4/5 Another good vegan option, BioCare's omega 3 supplement uses micro-algae as a source, which is considered sustainable, environmentally friendly and unlikely to contain any contaminants. We found there was a slight grassy smell from the bottle, but it wasn't unpleasant. With an RRP working out to 97p per capsule this was one of the more expensive supplements we tested. Available from: revital (£20.71) Amazon (£25.39) BioCare (£30.19) Wild Nutrition Pure Strength omega 3 Available from Amazon (£38), Healf (£38) Best blowout omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4/5 Although the capsules for this supplement are pretty small, the recommended does is four per day, which we found difficult to incorporate into our daily routine. The total recommended dose delivers a higher dose than any other supplements on test though. The fish oil used is sourced from wild Alaskan pollock which is Marine Stewardship Council-certified. Available from: Amazon (£38) Healf (£38) Vitl omega 3 Available from Ocado (£10), Vitl (£10.99) Best easy-to-take omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4/5 We found these softgels small and easy to take, although they definitely had a strong fishy aftertaste which wasn't pleasant. One to two capsules per day is recommended, although you would need to take two to deliver the daily recommended dose. They are certified for sustainability by Friends of the Sea, the international sustainable fisheries certification. Available from: Ocado (£10) Vitl (£10.99) Holland & Barrett omega 3 fish oil 1500mg Available from Holland & Barrett (£25.99) Runner-up affordable omega 3 supplement Star rating: 4/5 These large capsules are contained within a gelatine shell which means there isn't any smell or taste. The label states that the product contains pure, contaminant-free fish oil. However, we were disappointed that there was no information regarding the source of the fish or its sustainability. If you're looking for an affordable omega 3 supplement where you don't need to take multiple capsules per day this could be a good option. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£25.99) Why we need omega 3? Omega 3 might be best known for its role in cardiovascular health, but it plays a number of important roles in our bodies. In terms of heart health, omega 3 fatty acids could help to improve circulation and in preventing blood clots. It is also thought the omega 3s EPA and DHA could help to reduce a type of fat in the blood, triglycerides, high levels of which are associated with heart attacks and strokes. Omega 3 fats are present in every cell membrane in the human body, so help all the cells to function as they should. They are also crucial for the development of the retina in our eyes, as well as our brains. What are omega 3 fatty acids? Omega 3s are a group of fats which are important for our health. These could be short-chain omega 3s like ALA, which is considered less active, and can be found in nuts, seeds and their oils. Long chain which includes EPA and DHA which are considered more active, and the best choice to supplement omega 3. Oily varieties of fish including anchovies, sardines and herring are rich in EPA and DHA, while some white fish and shellfish have long chain omega 3s but at lower levels. What is the most effective form of omega 3? The omega 3 supplements in this list come in three forms: softgels, capsules and gummies. Softgels are great if you have trouble swallowing capsules as they're gentle to swallow. Gummies can also be a good options if you find capsules difficult to swallow, although it's worth bearing in mind that these also often have other ingredients in them. What to look for in an omega 3 supplement In a lot of the supplements we tested there are claims on the label about the strength of the product, for example that it might contain 1000mg, but to properly check the EPA and DHA levels you'll need to check the ingredients breakdown. We'd recommend looking for a supplement that delivers a daily dose of 450mg of EPA and DHA combined. A single capsule would have to be very large to deliver this quantity, so we'd expect a supplement that's reaching these levels to have a servings of two capsules or more daily. The source of the omega 3 is also an important thing to consider when choosing a supplement. Unless it's a vegan omega 3 supplement, most will use omega 3 sourced from fish oil which need to be both high quality and from fish that are sustainably caught. It's also important that the oil is contaminant-free. Related content Best vitamin B12 supplement Best biotin supplement UK Best ashwagandha supplement UK Best magnesium supplement Best magnesium supplement for sleep Best vegan protein powder Best probiotics UK Best vitamin D supplement UK Best collagen supplement UK Best protein powder Best portable blender Best Nutribullet Best glucosamine supplement All health content on olivemagazine.com is provided for general information only and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information. Always keep supplements out of the reach of children. Unless otherwise stated, we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults. Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
The best glucosamine supplements 2026 – tried and tested
Find our reviews of the best glucosamine supplements available in the UK, tried and tested
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring sugar compound that is made by the body from glucose molecules and an amino acid called glutamine. Your body uses glucosamine to construct the building blocks of tendons, ligaments, cartilage and the fluid that cushions your joints. It is an important component of a structural compound called glycosaminoglycans, which helps keep your cartilage elastic, strong and flexible. We get very little glucosamine from our diets because there are not many foods that are good sources, and of those that are, they tend to be foods we don’t typically enjoy eating – an example being the shells from shellfish like prawns, crabs and lobster. It is not surprising, therefore, that many of us prefer to take glucosamine as a supplement. In our search for the best glucosamine supplements, we tried a range of capsules and tablets. We tested them for taste and flavour as well as evaluating the nutrient profile, number of additives and whether they're suitable for vegans, those with allergies and other dietary requirements. Jump to: Best glucosamine supplements at a glance Best glucosamine supplements UK 2026 Who might benefit from supplementing with glucosamine? How does glucosamine work? How much glucosamine should I take? Who should not take glucosamine supplements? How should I take a glucosamine supplement? What form of glucosamine should I take? What format of glucosamine is best? What we looked for in glucosamine supplements Best glucosamine supplements at a glance Best glucosamine capsules Best advanced-formula glucosamine: Swallow Pro Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM Blend, £35 Best high-quality glucosamine and chondroitin formula: Thorne Glucosamine and Chondroitin, £32.97 Best high-strength one-a-day glucosamine tablet, ZipVit Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCI 1500mg + Vitamin C, £25.99 Best glucosamine capsule: BioCare Glucosamine Hydrochloride, £25.99 Best anti-inflammatory glucosamine capsule: Cytoplan Glucosamine Complex, £18.99 Best clean label glucosamine capsule: PuroLabs Glucosamine Complex, £29.99 Best combination glucosamine capsule: Vitabright Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM+, £18.99 Best glucosamine tablets Best glucosamine tablet: Vitabiotics Ultra Glucosamine & Chondroitin, £16.30 Best vegan glucosamine tablet: Healthspan Optiflex Glucosamine HCL 1325mg with vitamin C, £18.99 Best budget glucosamine tablet: Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Sulphate 1000mg, £19.99 Runner up glucosamine table: MyVitamins Glucosamine HCL & Chondroitin, £17.49 Best glucosamine supplements UK 2026 Best glucosamine capsules Swallow Pro Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM Blend Available from The Swallow Co (£35) Best advanced-formula glucosamine Score: 4.5/5 A daily dose of this delivers 1,500mg of glucosamine sulphate, plus chondroitin, MSM, hyaluronic acid, turmeric, boswellia, and vitamins C and D3 for a rounded approach to joint support. The capsules are easy to take, though the three a day dose is worth noting. A recent formula update has also earned industry recognition, including a Nourish Award. While pricier than basic options, this stands out for its high-quality, all-in-one formulation. Available from: The Swallow Co (£35) Thorne Glucosamine and Chondroitin Available from iHerb (£32.97) Best high-quality chondroitin formula Score: 4.5/5 A more stripped-back approach that focuses on doing the basics well. You get glucosamine sulphate (potassium chloride complex) alongside chondroitin, both in forms that are widely used in joint supplements, without any added extras. It feels very much like a quality-first formula, which is reflected in the cost of £1.10 per three capsules. The capsules are easy to take, the ingredient list is minimal, and everything is clearly laid out, which gives confidence in what you are actually getting. Compared to more complex blends, it is a simpler setup, with no added ingredients like MSM or turmeric, so it may not suit those looking for an all-in-one formula. Available from: iHerb (£32.97) ZipVit Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCI 1500mg + Vitamin C Available from ZipVit (£25.99) Best high-strength Star rating: 4.5/5 Not only do these high strength tablets provide 1500mg of glucosamine sulphate, but you only need to take one a day in order to hit this amount. However, testers noted they are chunky tablets so if you struggle with larger sized vitamins, they are probably not for you. Available from: ZipVit (£25.99) BioCare Glucosamine Hydrochloride Available from RightNutri (£25.99), BioCare (£25.99), Bodykind (£25.99) Best capsule Star rating: 4/5 This high dose glucosamine (1000mg) is combined with 160mg of vitamin C to support collagen formation. Our tester found one capsule twice a day fitted easily into her routine. Suitable for vegans and those with shellfish allergy. Available from: RightNutri (£25.99) BioCare (£25.99) Bodykind (£25.99) Cytoplan Glucosamine Complex Available from Turmeric and Honey (£18.99), Cytoplan (£18.99) Best anti-inflammatory Star rating: 4/5 As well as 600mg glucosamine hydrochloride, this complex contains MSM (to help with collagen production) and anti-inflammatory botanicals turmeric and Boswellia. Two capsules can be taken every eight hours, reducing to 2 per day as a maintenance dose. Contains shellfish. Available from: Cytoplan (£18.99) Turmeric and Honey (£18.99) PuroLabs Glucosamine Complex Available from Purolabs (£29.99) Best clean label Star rating: 4/5 These capsules contain only glucosamine sulphate (532mg), vitamin C (300mg) and chondroitin(200mg) – with no fillers or additives. Our tester found the two capsules per day easy to swallow but commented on the slight smell. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy. Available from: Purolabs (£29.99) Vitabright Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM+ Available from Vitabright (£18.99), Amazon (£16.99) Best combination Star rating: 4/5 This glucosamine complex includes 651mg of glucosamine from a well-absorbed source (glucosamine sulphate 2KCL), with other important nutrients known to support joint health, including chondroitin, methyl sulfonyl methane MSM and vitamin C. At a cost per daily dose of 21p, it’s great value for money. Contains shellfish. Available from: Vitabright (£18.99) Amazon (£16.99) Best glucosamine tablets Vitabiotics Ultra Glucosamine & Chondroitin Available from Amazon (£14.19), Dolphin Fitness (£13.95), Vitabiotics (£16.30) Best tablet Star rating: 4/5 This well-known brand recommends either one or two tablets per day. Both the glucosamine and chondroitin are derived from fish/shellfish, so it’s not suitable for vegetarians or those with a fish or shellfish allergy. Available from: Dolphin Fitness (£13.95) Vitabiotics (£16.30) Amazon (£14.19) Healthspan Optiflex Glucosamine HCL 1325mg with vitamin C Available from Healthspan (£18.99), Amazon (£19.99) Best vegan Star rating: 4/5 Delivering 1100mg of plant-sourced glucosamine per 1 a day tablet, this product contributed the most glucosamine in a single serving. It also contains vitamin C (20mg) to support cartilage and collagen formation. Our tester found the tablet large, but easy to swallow. Excellent value for money. Available from: Healthspan (£18.99) Amazon (£19.99) Holland & Barrett Glucosamine Sulphate 1000mg Available from Holland & Barrett (£19.99) Best budget Star rating: 4/5 Offering value for money, these high dose 1-a-day tablets provide 750mg of glucosamine from a superior and well-absorbed source (glucosamine sulphate 2KCL) along-with 20mg vitamin C. However, our tester found the size and chalky texture of the tablet made it difficult to swallow. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£19.99) MyVitamins Glucosamine HCL & Chondroitin Available from MyVitamins (£16.99), MyProtein (£18.90) Runner up Star rating: 3.5/5 To support cartilage, glucosamine (500mg) is combined with chondroitin (400mg) in this 1-a-day tablet. Our tester found the size of the tablet difficult to swallow; she also disliked the taste and smell. Not suitable for vegetarians or those with a shellfish allergy. Available from: MyVitamins (£18.90) MyProtein (£15.99) Who might benefit from supplementing with glucosamine? We produce less glucosamine as we age so those who may benefit from supplementation include older adults, sports enthusiasts as well as those with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and those looking to improve joint function or relieve joint pain. How does glucosamine work? Studies suggest glucosamine may delay breakdown and help repair damaged cartilage. How it does this is thought to be by reducing the activity of enzymes that damage cartilage, and instead promote the regeneration of the joint tissue while reducing inflammation. That said, the results from clinical trials have been inconsistent and experts reviewing the evidence have arrived at conflicting conclusions. However, if you want to rebuild your joints for better health eating the components they are made up of, may help. How much glucosamine should I take? There is no recommended daily dose for glucosamine because it is not an essential nutrient. However, look for a product that supplies at least 500mg of glucosamine as glucosamine sulphate 2KCL or glucosamine hydrochloride, preferably from a natural source (e.g. marine derived), as these are likely to be better absorbed. Glucosamine is often combined with ingredients that work synergistically on the joint, these include chondroitin sulphate and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM). Chondroitin is a component of cartilage and gives the joint its bounce and resistance. It can be found in the gristle on animal bones, making bone broth a likely food source. MSM is a source of sulphur and needed by the body, along-with vitamin C, to make collagen 1500mg of glucosamine sulphate is believed to be well-tolerated and may be an effective daily dose for some people – this can be taken together or as three divided doses of 500mg. Studies suggest a safe upper level is 2000mg glucosamine per day combined, if you wish with up to 1200mg of chondroitin sulphate. These are slow acting compounds, because they need to accumulate in the joint, so if you start to supplement you will need to allow time for it to have an effect. It’s worth saying that studies on the safety of glucosamine have typically been conducted over a short period (up to 3 years), this means the longer-term side effects are not fully understood. Nevertheless, adverse reactions are thought to be mild and may include nausea, heartburn and diarrhoea. Any interactions with medication have not been proven, but caution may be needed for those prescribed anti-coagulants like warfarin, some anti-cancer treatments and if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you may require additional monitoring. Who should not take glucosamine supplements? Those with a seafood or fish allergy should check labels carefully because many glucosamine supplements are derived from marine sources. Those with asthma, diabetes and those prescribed warfarin should speak with their GP first. Furthermore, there isn’t enough reliable information to know if supplementation of glucosamine is safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women. If you are vegan or vegetarian check labels to ensure the product is appropriate for you, some supplements use cartilage derived from poultry, beef or fish. How should I take a glucosamine supplement? You can take glucosamine at any time of day, although some manufacturers recommend taking it with a meal to minimise stomach upset. What form of glucosamine should I take? Glucosamine is available as glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine hydrochloride or as N-acetyl glucosamine. Check labels and, if possible, select a product that supplies glucosamine as glucosamine sulphate 2KCL or glucosamine hydrochloride and preferably from a natural source (e.g. marine derived), as these are likely to be better absorbed. Those sensitive to sulphur may find N-acetyl glucosamine better tolerated, if you are looking to address joint stiffness and range of motion, glucosamine sulphate may be useful. If you follow a vegan or plant-based diet check product labels to ensure the form of glucosamine is suitable for you – some may be derived from shellfish or animal sources. What format of glucosamine is best? Studies are largely inconclusive with head-to-head trials between the two main forms (glucosamine sulphate and hydrochloride) showing no significant difference between them. What we looked for in glucosamine supplements Our key criteria were price (which we judged by the cost of a recommended daily dose), the nutrient profile provided in the recommended dose of each product, the format (capsule, tablet) and form of glucosamine that might affect the amount absorbed in the body. We spoke to our expert nutritionist, Kerry Torrens, who carefully reviewed each product in detail, assessing the ingredients, formulation, strength, and overall suitability from a nutritional perspective. Our panel of testers also trialled each product to see how easy it was to take or use, and they judged flavour and smell where appropriate. All supplements were tested over a similar time period, with notes made according to the testing criteria. Further reading 5 most talked about supplements – which to take and which to avoid 8 natural energy boosters to try Expert explains: the Mediterranean diet Related content Best vitamin B12 supplement Best biotin supplement UK Best ashwagandha supplement UK Best protein bars Best magnesium supplement for sleep Best vegan protein powder Best probiotics UK Best vitamin D supplements UK Best protein powder Best collagen supplement UK Best greens powder Best herbal tea Best matcha tea powder Best beauty supplements Best omega 3 supplements UK Always keep supplements out of the reach of children. Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults. Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
12 holiday-inspired bakes to brighten your coffee table
From Greek-inspired cakes to Spanish-style slices and Italian snacks, these Mediterranean bakes will whisk you away for ultimate holiday feels
Looking to add a bit of sunshine to your afternoon tea spread? Want to indulge in a spot of Italian baking? End a meal of meze sharing plates with one of theses cakes, bakes or sweet treats and dream of bathing on a Mediterranean island. Mediterranean-style baking recipes Fragrant orange portokalopita This syrup-soaked cake from Edd Kimber is inspired by the sunshine flavours of Crete. Cannoli Create a batch of homemade cannoli for a sweet Italian treat for your next dinner party, served with a shot of espresso. Portuguese custard tarts Make classic Portuguese custard tarts Pastéis de Nata with step-by-step help from the test kitchen. Dusting the pastry with icing sugar gives the tarts a golden, caramelised crust when cooked. Loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) One of the pleasures of a Greek holiday comes in those moments after dark (and after dinner) when everyone moves to the tables in a local square to drink coffee and eat plates of tiny cinnamon-scented doughnuts. Whether your preference is for the sugar-dusted variety or those soaked in honey, try making them at home for a crowd-pleasing dessert with a difference. Check out more doughnut recipes here. Effortless madeleine 'baba' Cut corners with this cheat on a rum baba – it’s simple to make, and you can use whichever rum you like. Sicilian ricotta cake This impressive Sicilian ricotta cake will steal the show at dinner, with chunks of chocolate studded through creamy baked ricotta. It's deceptively easy to make, too. Baklava Try our version of baklava, drenched it in a salted honey sauce. This sweet and sticky filo pastry treat comes packed with four types of nut, cardamom and cinnamon. Italian lemon cake Amalfi lemons give a strong, intense lemony aroma in our Italian cake recipe, making a fitting summery cake which is a real crowd pleaser, too. Tres leches cake with rum and toasted coconut Tres leches is translated from Spanish as ‘three milks cake’, where evaporated milk and cream are used alongside condensed milk. Biscotti These twice-baked Italian biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. They are traditionally made with skin-on almonds that give a delicate nutty flavour. Lemon and lime tart The perfect make-ahead French pud and similar to a classic tarte au citron – recreate Edd Kimber's epic lemon and lime tart with a coconut macaroon case and fill with a citrussy curd. Dark chocolate, olive oil and sea salt focaccia Achieve baking heaven with our sweet focaccia. Peppery olive oil and dark chocolate pair really well – throw some sea salt in the mix for a sweet/salty edge. French crullers Make Edd Kimber’s crullers, a classic French dessert, for glazed donuts which are crispy on the outside and light on the inside. Churros with hot chocolate sauce Make these Spanish sweet treats for a comforting dessert or breakfast. The rich, indulgent hot chocolate sauce is also delicious over ice cream.
Turn any picnic into an occasion with these 17 picnicware and accessory must-haves
A great picnic isn’t just about the food in the hamper, it’s about everything that makes eating outdoors feel like an experience.
A well-curated spread and fun outdoor entertainment is undoubtedly part of a good picnic. But having the right picnicware and accessories makes things both easier and a little more aesthetically pleasing. Having a handful of reliable pieces for your picnic makes all the difference, whether you're heading for a quick picnic lunch in the park or a longer afternoon working your way through our 69 picnic food ideas with friends. If you’re catering for different diets, it’s also worth bookmarking our easy vegetarian picnic ideas for simple, crowdpleasing options. We've picked some of our favourite picnic accessories to buy this summer that are easy to use, transport and store, and will help make a casual alfresco catch-up feel like a special occasion. Jump to: What do you really need for the perfect picnic? What picnic homeware trends are worth buying in 2026? Which picnic accessories will make your day outdoors easier? Best picnic accessories and picnicware to buy in 2026 Mountain Warehouse Wicker 6 Person Green Tweed Classic Picnic Basket Available from Mountain Warehouse (£128) This basket from Mountain Warehouse is a well-made, all-in-one option that takes the hassle out of packing and will make even the most last-minute of picnics feel elevated. The classic wicker basket should last the test of time and is ready to be popped in the boot of the car the moment the sun comes out. Inside, it is fully set up for six, with porcelain plates, acrylic glasses, cutlery, a bottle opener and a picnic blanket included. Everything has its place, so it is easy to organise and carry. A smart choice if you want a complete picnic setup that is easy to use and built to last. Available from: Mountain Warehouse (£128) Jardins de la Comtesse Insulated Picnic Backpack Available from Amazon (£109.90) This is a practical alternative to a traditional picnic basket, especially if you are walking to your picnic spot. This is a full setup for four packed into a backpack, with plates, acrylic glasses, stainless steel cutlery, a corkscrew, bread board, knife and even salt and pepper included. The 20.5L insulated compartment will keep your picnic feast fresh, with extra pockets for a bottle, tablecloth or any extras, so you can quickly lay out an impressive spread. Available from: Amazon (£109.90) Wolf & Badger Pure New Wool Waterproof Picnic Blanket Available from Wolf & Badger (£155) Does your picnic blanket need an upgrade this year? This is a luxurious take on the standard picnic rug, with a soft pure new wool design and a practical waterproof backing to keep damp grass from soaking through, so you can settle in comfortably. It rolls up neatly into a compact bundle, with a handmade leather strap for easy carrying or attaching to a bag or bike. It works well for park days, festivals or trips to the beach. Available from: Wolf & Badger (£155) Lakeland Blue Azure Melamine Platter Available from Lakeland (£8.99) Bring a touch of the nautical vibes to your next picnic with this handy blue striped platter. It is made from lightweight melamine, which means it won't shatter if dropped – ideal for picnics, barbecues or garden dining. We love the long shape for loading up sharing dishes and salads, or keep it simple with a generous serving of sandwiches for feeding a crowd (check out our sandwich recipes for inspiration – our loaded coronation chicken sandwich is a must-try). Plus, it's dishwasher-safe for easy post-picnic clean up. Available from: Lakeland (£8.99) Latitude Vive Mauricio Medallion Salad Bowl Available from Wayfair (£6.13) Designed to give the look of ceramic without the fragility and weight, this melamine salad bowl is a clever choice for easy outdoor dining. We love the unique Moroccan-inspired print with a subtle crackle glaze effect that adds extra texture. The generous size makes it ideal for serving salads and sides, plus if you're a fan of the print there are plenty of matching items in the collection to cover all your picnicware needs, including bowls, plates and rectangular platters. Available from: Wayfair (£6.13) Dexam Sintra Mango Wood Spotted Chip and Dip Bowl Available from Dunelm (£31) If your ideal picnic location is in your garden then light, melamine picnicware doesn't have to be the priority. In which case, we love the look of this mango wood chip and dip bowl for serving up snacks. Choose your favourite dip recipe to load up the central well and arrange crisps, chunks of crusty baguette or colourful crudités around the side. Then it's time to sit back, relax and get dipping in the sunshine! Available from: Dunelm (£31) Cox & Cox Geometric Acrylic Jug & Tumbler Set Available from Cox & Cox (£20) A stylish step up from basic plastic serveware, this acrylic jug and tumbler set is made for easy outdoor hosting. The lightweight design makes it simple to carry out to the garden or park, while still feeling sturdy enough for regular use. Available from: Cox & Cox (£20) The Range Retreat Twin Glass Dispenser Available from The Range (£14.99) A great option for serving drinks to a group, this twin glass dispenser is designed with big summer gatherings in mind. The two separate compartments make it easy to offer different drinks at once, whether that's infused water, juice or even cocktails. Litre of aperol, anyone? Each side has its own tap for easy pouring so your friends and family can help themselves and you can keep drinks flowing without constant refilling. Keen hosts will be getting this out year after year for summer parties, barbecues and picnics. Available from: The Range (£14.99) Fieldbar x Fortnum’s Drinks Box, Eau De Nil Available from Fortnum & Mason (£179) More than just a cool box, this drinks case is a classy design-led take on your outdoor essentials. The hard shell build is made for strong thermal performance, keeping drinks chilled while you are out for the day. It has a compact 10L capacity, which is enough for a small group, along with a secure lock lid to keep everything in place while travelling. The leather strap makes it easier to carry, and the structured shape gives it a more polished feel than softer cool bags. Available from: Fortnum & Mason (£179) Dunelm Sophie Robinson Set of 2 Serving Utensils Available from Dunelm (£12) A simple way to brighten up your picnic setup, this serving spoon and fork set adds a bit of colour without overcomplicating things. The bold striped detailing at the handles gives them a playful edge, while the mango wood keeps the overall look warm and natural. Just what you need for dishing up salads, pasta or sharing plates in style. They're easy to pair with other serveware, whether you are going for something coordinated or more mix-and-match. Available from: Dunelm (£12) Colori+ Funky Fruit Paring Knife Available from Kuhn Rikon (£11.95) Small but genuinely useful, this paring knife is the kind of understated essential you end up reaching for again and again on a picnic and everybody will be glad you packed. The sharp stainless steel blade makes light work of fruit, veg and cheese for picnic grazing and al fresco chopping. It also comes with a matching sheath, which makes it much easier to pack safely in a bag or basket. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£11.95) Catherine J Designs Tomato Tea Towel 100% Linen Available from Etsy (£25) A simple but useful addition to your picnic kit. Made from 100% linen, it is naturally quick-drying and antibacterial, so it works just as well for drying sticky hands after eating as it does for wrapping bread or laying out snacks. The generous size also makes it easy to double up as an impromptu placemat or cover to keep food fresh. Available from: Etsy (£25) Klean Kanteen Lunch Box Set Steel Food Boxes Available from Amazon (£88.13) Klean Kanteen's set of three stainless steel food boxes is geared towards easy packing on the go. The different sizes make it simple to separate snacks, sides, dressings and full meals, whether you are heading out for a picnic or a longer day trip. Being plastic-free is a plus, and the boxes don't hold onto flavours, which makes them useful for a mix of foods. Available from: Amazon (£88.13) Next Home Set of 4 Natural Vacation Picnic Pasta Bowls Available from Next (£20) Built for outdoor dining, these melamine pasta bowls are light and easy to take on the go. Use them for portioning up different picnic snacks (surely a picnic isn't complete without someone handing round a bowl of sausage rolls) or individual bowls for people to fill up from your picnic feast. Each bowl features a different pattern, adding a bit of variety to your setup without feeling mismatched. Available from: Next (£20) Jardins de la Comtesse Insulated Picnic Basket Available from Amazon (£229) For something more traditional, this wicker picnic basket comes fully equipped for two, for a romantic picnic that feels a little extra luxe. Inside, there is a full dining set with porcelain plates, glassware, cutlery, a tablecloth and even a cutting board, so very little extra packing is needed. An insulated compartment is built in for keeping drinks or food cool, while leather straps and a sturdy handle make it easy to transport despite its size. Available from: Amazon (£229) Lakeland RPET Blue Glacier Bowls Pack of 4 Available from Lakeland (£19.96) Lightweight and easy to pack, these melamine bowls are geared towards fuss-free outdoor dining. The shatter-resistant material means they can handle being knocked about in a picnic bag without much worry. Each bowl is a handy size for salads, snacks or desserts, and the blue striped design adds a bright, summery touch. They are also dishwasher-safe, which keeps things simple once everything is packed away. Available from: Lakeland (£19.96) Sourhouse Bread Blanket 86cm Available from Harrods (£38) A simple but thoughtful addition, this cotton bread blanket is designed to keep loaves protected while you are on the move. The muslin fabric is soft yet breathable, helping to keep bread in good condition while also catching crumbs as you slice or serve. The generous size makes it easy to wrap everything from a baguette to a sourdough loaf, and the blanket can double up as a casual serving cloth once you are set up. Available from: Harrods (£38) What do you really need for the perfect picnic? A perfect picnic doesn’t have to be over the top, it just needs a few thoughtful essentials. Start with a comfortable base like the Wolf & Badger Pure New Wool Waterproof Picnic Blanket, which works just as well on damp grass as it does on dry ground. For packing, something like the Mountain Warehouse Wicker 6 Person Picnic Basket keeps everything in one place, especially if you don’t want to think too hard about what to bring. Pair it with practical tableware – the Lakeland Blue Azure Melamine Platter and Next Home Picnic Pasta Bowls are lightweight, durable and easy to clean. Add reusable storage like the Klean Kanteen Lunch Box Set and you’ve got a simple, organised setup that covers all the basics without overcomplicating things. What picnicware trends are worth buying in 2026? Picnic style in 2026 is all about that balance between practicality and a slightly more elevated feel. Insulated pieces are having a moment, with options like the Jardins de la Comtesse Insulated Picnic Basket and the Fieldbar x Fortnum’s Drinks Box helping keep food and drinks cool for longer. There’s also a noticeable shift towards more sustainable choices. Reusable materials like steel and recycled plastics – seen in pieces like Lakeland’s RPET bowls – are replacing throwaway options. At the same time, people are leaning into picnics as a bit more of an occasion. Acrylic drinkware like the Cox and Cox Geometric Jug and Tumbler Set gives you the look of glass without the worry. Which picnic accessories will make your day outdoors easier? The best picnic accessories are the ones you don’t have to think about once you’re there. Simple serving pieces like the Dunelm Sophie Robinson Serving Utensils or the Dexam Mango Wood Chip and Dip Bowl make sharing food feel effortless. For drinks, a Retreat Twin Glass Dispenser is surprisingly useful when you’re catering for a group, while insulated options help keep everything at the right temperature. Smaller extras can make a big difference too. A Colori+ Funky Fruit Paring Knife is handy for quick prep, and a linen tea towel can double up as a napkin, cover or clean-up cloth. Even niche additions like a bread blanket can come in handy if you’re bringing a proper spread. It’s these little touches that make the whole day feel more relaxed, organised and easy to enjoy.
The surprising health questions we're asking online - answered by experts
The most common queries for 'doctor google' – with answers you can trust
Expert answers from: Stephanie Romiszewski, sleep physiologist and author of Think Less, Sleep More Michaella Mazzoni, registered nutritionist Carla Pozner, registered osteopath Jemma Joel, registered nutritionist Dr Sam Jethwa, dentist and founder of Bespoke Smile Zara Hiridjee, registered nutritionist Beth Johnson, founder of Lift Club Harrogate Dr Semiya Aziz, GP and founder of Say GP Umar Razzaq, pharmacist and co-founder of Pharmacy Online Check out more questions that gut health dietitians are frequently asked, what you need to know about adaptogenic mushrooms and why you’re feeling tired all the time. There’s a particular type of late-night panic most of us know well. You’re lying in the dark and something feels slightly off – an unfamiliar ache, a weird colour in the toilet bowl you can’t stop thinking about – and you find yourself down a search engine rabbit hole reading forum posts from 2009 written by people who are definitely not medical professionals. We are, by every measurable metric, a generation of health googlers. In the UK, the NHS website receives over 50 million visits every month. In the US, studies suggest that roughly 7% of all daily search engine queries are health-related; that's around 70,000 health queries a minute. What these queries share is a very human desire to understand our own bodies and find the answers to questions we are perhaps too embarrassed to ask our GP (you never should be). So, in the spirit of giving the internet what it wants, but with actual experts attached, here are the answers. Q. How can I fall asleep quickly? A. Roughly 1 in 5 adults in the UK don’t get enough sleep, with 79% of us struggling to switch off at bedtime according to Mental Health UK. “Most people get into bed and there’s a bit of ‘I need to fall asleep now’ pressure,” says Stephanie Romiszewski, a leading sleep physiologist and author of Think Less, Sleep More. “That’s when the sleep anxiety gremlins turn up, telling you that if you don’t go to sleep right now, you will get fired when the meeting goes wrong – and, by the way, there’s something really wrong with you because the rest of the world is sleeping.” The trick, counterintuitively, is to stop trying. “Waking in the night is normal. Taking a while to drift off is normal,” Romiszewski stresses. “In the moment, I wouldn’t try to do anything. Just notice the thoughts, and don’t treat being awake like an emergency, it usually passes quicker.” If it becomes a pattern, focus on your day rather than your night: getting up at a similar time, making sure you’ve been awake long enough, and getting some light in the morning. Q. How many calories should I eat a day? A. NHS guidelines suggest around 2,000kcal per day for women, and 2,500kcal for men, but registered nutritionist Michaella Mazzoni is more interested in what those calories actually contain. “You can technically eat the ‘right’ amount of calories but still be really low in macro and micronutrients,” she says. Her approach moves away from counting altogether. “Breakfast is about protein, lunch is about variety – different fruits and vegetables, a portion of carbs, some healthy fats and protein, and dinner follows a similar pattern,” she says. What concerns her most is people cutting calories drastically for quick results – research shows that very low-calorie diets can negatively impact hormonal balance and sleep, particularly for women. Q. What causes poor posture? A. As a generation hunching over phones and laptops, it’s unsurprising that this ranks among the most searched questions online. But as registered osteopath Carla Pozner points out, there’s no such thing as one universally 'bad' posture. “The body is designed to move and adapt, so posture is less about sitting bolt upright all day and more about how long we stay in one position without variation,” she explains. “Core strength can play a part too,” she adds. “Your core isn’t just about visible abs, it includes deeper muscles around the trunk, diaphragm, pelvic floor and back that help support the spine and transfer load efficiently. When these areas are underused or not functioning well, people may feel more tense or unsupported.” The goal isn’t a rigid 'perfect' position, but building strength, mobility and awareness. Pozner recommends moving often, building general strength, taking screen breaks, positioning devices higher where possible, walking daily and breathing deeply to notice tension. Q. Is cinnamon good for you? A. It is, though perhaps not quite in the way the wellness industry would have you believe. Some research supports cinnamon’s potential to help with post-meal blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and even cholesterol, though registered nutritionist Jemma Joel notes the effects are “fairly modest”. “It’s not exactly going to transform a doughnut into a superfood,” she says. Think of it instead as a helpful sidekick rather than the main character, reliable and pleasant, but not single-handedly revolutionising your metabolic health. Q. How long until a tooth infection kills you? A. Dramatic? Yes. Understandable? Absolutely – says Dr Sam Jethwa, dentist and founder of Bespoke Smile. After all, toothache is uniquely miserable, and because dental pain seems to often arrive at 11pm on a Sunday, Google tends to be the first port of call. The reassuring news is that a tooth infection is only likely to become dangerous if it’s left completely untreated. “When caught early, dental infections are usually straightforward to treat,” says Dr Jethwa. “This might involve antibiotics, draining an abscess, procedures such as root canal, or in some cases, removing the tooth.” Symptoms – such as a persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, discomfort when chewing, a bad taste in the mouth or swelling in the gums or face – usually appear early enough to give you time to act. Dr Jethwa stresses the importance of good oral hygiene: “brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once a day and regular dental check-ups are all important.” Q. Does green tea have caffeine? A. Short answer: yes, but often less than coffee. A cup of green tea contains around 20-45mg of caffeine, compared to roughly 80-100mg in coffee. “The amount isn’t fixed,” says registered nutritionist Zara Hiridjee. “It can vary quite a bit depending on how its prepared. The longer you steep tea, or the hotter the water, the more caffeine is extracted.” Matcha tends to be higher still, since you’re consuming the whole powdered leaf. “One thing worth knowing is that green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which can influence how caffeine feels in the body,” adds Hiridjee. “It’s thought to promote a calmer, more focused state, which is why the caffeine in green tea often feels smoother than caffeine in coffee.” Q. When should I take creatine? A. Creatine has had quite the glow-up. Once the preserve of bodybuilders and rugby players, it’s now recommended for everything from strength training to cognitive function. But the noise around it, says Beth Johnson, founder of Lift Club Harrogate, has made something genuinely simple feel bewilderingly complicated. “At its core, it’s just a naturally occurring compound that helps your muscles produce energy during short, intense efforts,” she says. It’s also unusually well evidenced, consistently effective and relatively cheap. A daily dose of 3-5g of creatine monohydrate is all you need. Initial weight gain is water in the muscle, not fat, and no, it won’t make you bulky. “Creatine isn’t magic,” Johnson adds. “But it’s one of the simplest ways to give yourself a small but meaningful cherry on top.” Q. How much weight can you lose in a month? A. This is one of the most searched questions in existence, and registered nutritionist Zara Hiridjee has a theory why. “We’re used to things happening quickly and with very little effort,” she says. “Over time it shapes how we think, and we carry that same expectation into weight loss.” Weight loss in a month depends on several factors, including starting weight, energy intake, dieting history, activity levels, sleep and overall health. A sustainable rate of fat loss tends to be around 0.5 to 1% of body weight per week, roughly 2-4% a month. Push harder than that, and the body begins to adapt, hunger hormones rise, satiety hormones fall and resting metabolism can slow through a process called adaptive thermogenesis. “Just because the body can be pushed to lose weight quickly, doesn’t mean it should be,” Hiridjee warns. “The goal isn’t simply to reduce the number on the scale in the short term, but to do so in a way that preserves health and can realistically be maintained beyond that initial period.” Q. Why is my poop green? A. Well done for looking, says GP Dr Semiya Aziz, founder of Say GP – this kind of self-awareness will delight your doctor. Most of us are, she notes, either too squeamish to check or too embarrassed to report what they’ve seen, which means potential warning signs go unnoticed for longer than they should. The good news? Green poop is, in the vast majority of cases, completely harmless. “It’s usually about as dangerous as wearing socks with sandals,” she says. “Poop gets its classic brown colour from digestive fluid called bile, produced in your liver. As it transits through the gut, the colour changes from green to yellow and then classically brown.” Green usually means that things have moved too fast, or you’ve eaten something suspiciously green. “Those culprits include leafy green vegetables, green smoothies and matcha,” adds Dr Aziz. “Alternatively, the transit time was too quick, due to conditions such as diarrhoea, food poisoning, IBD or the use of antibiotics.” See your GP if it’s lasted more than a few days, is accompanied by stomach pain, fever or vomiting, if you notice blood or have tar-like, black stools, if you’re losing weight unexpectedly, or if you have a family history of bowel cancer. Q. Can you cure a stomach ulcer? A. Stomach ulcers aren’t rare – 5-10% of the general population are thought to develop them at some point, usually due to a bacterial infection called Helicobacter pylori, or long-term use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen. Smoking, heavy drinking and chronic stress can all make things worse too. The good news is that ulcers are very treatable with the right medication, says pharmacist Umar Razzaq, co-founder of Pharmacy Online. “The classic sign of an ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, often worse at night or between meals when the stomach is empty. You might also notice bloating, nausea or feeling of fullness after only small amounts of food,” he says. Your GP will usually confirm whether bacterial infection is behind it with a stool or breath test, or sometimes an endoscopy, and treat accordingly. “Alongside medication, a few lifestyle changes can speed up healing,” Razzaq adds. “Cutting back on alcohol, stopping smoking and finding ways to manage stress can all make a difference.” See your GP if you’ve had ongoing stomach pain or indigestion for more than two weeks, and don’t ignore vomiting blood, unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing or black, tarry stools.” We may joke about the strange corners of the internet we end up in at 3am, but no search engine or AI chatbot, however sophisticated, is a substitute for an actual medical professional. If something is worrying you, please speak to your GP. The questions we’ve covered here might feel silly or embarrassing to raise in a clinical setting, but they really aren’t. GPs have heard it all. Every last bit of it. Green poop included. More wellbeing guides A women's health expert shares the information you wish your doctors would "I'm a nutritionist: this is what I eat in a day" 10 stress-busting foods to help you keep your chill 9 foods to boost your brainpower 30 ways to include 30 plant foods in your diet 5 Mediterranean foods for better health Healthiest diets from around the world How to follow a gluten-free diet How to follow a plant-based diet
10 bucket-list American dishes worth travelling for – and where to find them
From fully-loaded sandwiches to much-loved regional desserts, these are the US dishes worth travelling for
If you're planning a gourmet tour of the US, there are certain iconic dishes in each state that are a must try. Seek out the dishes that locals are the most passionate about and you’ll find yourself in the best restaurants, bakeries and neighbourhood institutions – many of which have lasted for generations. Whether you try a silky slice of Key lime pie in Florida or a comforting bowl of clam chowder in Boston, these are the US dishes worth travelling for. For more US inspiration, check out our guide to 8 US cities that offer spectacular value for money. New Haven: scorch your fingers on ‘ah-beetz’ New Haven may be famed as the home of Yale University – but for food lovers, it's the pizza that is more important. Or, more accurately, ‘ah-beetz’, as New Haven-style pizza is known. 'Apizza' is a direct descendant of thin-crusted Neapolitan-style pie, tapping into the background of the local Italian-American community. But what sets apizza apart is the three Cs: crust, char and coal. These thin-crust pizzas are cooked at high temperature in a coal-fired brick oven and when done right, have a blistered, blackened crust. In a classic apizza, adornment is minimal – in the original, not even mozzarella besmirched the flavourful tomato sauce. If you want it, ask for ‘mootz’ (mozzarella). Head for Wooster St where you’ll find the apizza originator Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, founded in 1925, and Sally’s Apizza, founded in 1938, on the same street. Apizza has won fans across the USA and across the Atlantic. You can try it in the UK at Gracey’s in St Albans and London. New Orleans: get stuck into gumbo Complex and richly flavoured, this hearty stew, which can incorporate just about any combination of meat, seafood and vegetables, is emblematic of the cooking of the American South – and New Orleans is gumbo’s spiritual home. Much like Mardi Gras, the dish encapsulates the diverse culture and culinary heritage of the region. The name is a matter of debate, deriving either from West African ‘gombo’ or the Choctaw ‘kombo’. A key ingredient is okra, which West African cooks use to thicken dishes. The filé powder (made from dried, ground sassafras leaves), used to thicken the stew at the end of cooking, was used by First Nation cooks. And the roux – the slowly cooked mixture of flour and fat that forms the base of gumbo – has French origins. The best gumbo is the one your family makes (try our prawn gumbo recipe or vegan gumbo), but if you’re not lucky enough for that, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, which chef Leah Chase, known as ‘the queen of Creole cuisine’ helmed for seven decades, is an institution. At French Quarter Restaurant R’evolution, Mississippi-born chef John Folse serves a stew called ‘death by gumbo’ made with roasted quail, andouille sausage and oysters. Philadelphia: get a big bite of Philly cheesesteak The namesake sandwich of the City of Brotherly Love is the cause of cravings – and contention. Everyone agrees that a Philly cheesesteak consists of quality beef, either thinly sliced or roughly chopped, fried on a grill, then stuffed into a long crunchy hoagie roll and topped with cheese. Whether the sandwich is served ‘wit’ or ‘wit’out’ fried onions is a matter of preference – as is the type of cheese that ought to top it all off. Provolone is said to be traditional (and is what we've used in our own Philly cheesesteak recipe), but there is a strong camp in favour of Cheez Wiz, that love-it-or-loathe-it bright-orange liquid-cheese that harks back to the 1970s. Created in South Philly in the 1930s by hot dog cart owner Pat Olivieri, the cheesesteak is now an institution – it even has its own national appreciation day on March 24. The original Pat’s King of Steaks in South Philly is still owned by the same family. Rival Geno’s Steaks (founded 1966) is just across the street. New York City: nosh a knish The bagel and New York cheesecake claim much of the gastronomic glory in the Big Apple, but no visitor should leave the city without tracking down a knish. These pockets of leavened bread enclosing mashed potato, kasha (buckwheat), sauerkraut, ground meat or mushrooms are a staple of Jewish-American cuisine. They were first made in New York by immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, many of whom settled in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the 1900s – and this is still the neighbourhood where the best knishes hang out. Yonah Schimmel was a Romanian rabbi who sold potato knishes with a smear of mustard from a pushcart before setting up Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery – established in 1910 and still dishing knish. Go for the classic potato. Katz’s Delicatessen, established in 1888 and reputed to be the city’s oldest deli, sells classic square potato knishes or round ones made with sweet potato or kasha. Miami: wrap your hands around a Cuban sandwich South Florida’s cigar industry initially drew skilled workers from Cuba to Miami and Tampa from the 18th century, but it was Fidel Castro’s 1959 Revolution that sparked the largest influx of Cubans to the state. Miami-Dade County is now home to just under 1 million residents of Cuban origin, and Little Havana is the place to find the best Cuban cuisine – sandwiches included. Also called Cubanos, they’re filled with slow-roast pork, glazed ham and swiss cheese, finished with mustard and thinly sliced dill pickle for piquancy, then pressed and toasted. In the heart of Little Havana, Calle Ocho (8th St) is where to find some of the best. The version found at Versailles, founded in 1971, is a classic, made with bread from the restaurant’s own bakery. Sanguich de Miami takes its ingredient-sourcing seriously (‘no shortcuts, no additives’) and is made with ham and garlic-confit-marinated pork. San Francisco: get messy with a bowl of cioppino The City by the Bay is famous for its sourdough – but the real San Francisco treat is this seafood stew. Its roots most likely lie in a similar dish called ciuppin, which was brought to California by Genoese immigrants who came here during the Gold Rush. It’s a classic ‘fisherman’s stew’ in that can be made with a mix of seafood, although mussels and local Dungeness crab (when in season) are pretty much de rigueur. A proper cioppino is made with a tomato base and most versions are made with red wine – a good California Cabernet or Zinfandel would be ideal – and it’s served with (or over) garlic-rubbed toasted sourdough. To enjoy it at its best, be prepared to get go in with your hands and get messy. In North Beach, San Francisco’s Little Italy, Sotto Mare serves some of the best cioppino in the city, in portions big enough for two to share. Family-run Tadich Grill in the Financial District opened 1849 (before California was even a state). Its shellfish-rich cioppino, a house special, is served with garlic bread on the side. If you can't get to San Francisco, try our cioppino recipe to recreate it at home. Boston: tuck into New England clam chowder Affectionately known as ‘Beantown’, Boston’s culinary clout extends way beyond baked beans – and clam chowder (pronounced ‘chowda’ in these parts) is the mustn’t-miss dish. Chowder in various forms are made all over the Northeast and beyond (the name is derived from the French ‘chaudrée’, meaning cauldron). Some are made with tomato, some plain, some with corn (like our very own seafood chowder recipe). None can beat the New England-style version: a combination of salt pork (or bacon), potatoes and big, tender clams in a rich, creamy base thick enough to stand a spoon in. The version made at North End seafood specialist Neptune Oyster is made the classic way – with salt pork, Wellfleet oysters from Cape Cod and a hint of thyme. Row 34 (three locations in Boston and Cambridge) sources its seafood locally and goes so far as to make its own saltines – the crunchy biscuits traditionally served alongside a bowl of chowder. Cincinnati: rethink chilli It’s chilli, but not as you know it… Ohio’s claim to culinary fame can be perplexing at first taste. Banish thoughts of the burn-your-tongue chilli con carne you’ll find in Texas – the Cincinnati version is a gently spicy meat sauce flavoured with cinnamon, allspice and cloves, with tomato, a hit of cayenne and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. It’s served in two main ways: over a bowl of spaghetti with optional add-ons of grated cheddar, chopped raw onion or kidney beans (try our recipe here), or as a topping to a hot dog (which transforms the latter into a ‘coney’). It was first cooked up in the early 1920s by Tom and John Kiradjieff, brothers from what is now northern Greece, who were fleeing post-war strife. Little did they know that this dish would turn their city into a chilli capital of the USA – there are now some 250 chilli parlours in the region. Top places to become a ‘chilli-head’ include the James Beard Award-winning Camp Washington Chilli, established in 1940, and Skyline Chilli (160 branches), which got the thumbs-up from the late Anthony Bourdain. Florida: ponder the origins of Key lime pie No dessert could be more ‘Florida’ than Key lime pie – but its history isn’t as simple as it seems. The ‘key’ to this iconic dessert is the citrus fruit that gives it its name. Smaller than the supermarket-variety Persian lime, has a lifted, floral flavour – and it’s native to Florida, right? Actually, no. It’s a hybrid variety, originally from Southeast Asia, brought to the Florida Keys in the 1830s. And, while the pie’s origin story says that Key lime pie was first made by the Florida Keys fishing community, that idea has been called into question. The author of a cookbook called BraveTart suggested the recipe came from a condensed milk company. Others contend that the original recipe came from (gasp) New York, or that it was originally made with (ugh) lemons. What’s not up for debate is the taste: one bite of the tart, sharp, creamy filling on a crunchy biscuit base will show why it’s a dessert worth having strong opinions about. In Key West, try the ‘original’ version from Kermit’s Key Lime Shop. In Key Largo, the pies from Mrs Mac’s Kitchen, established in 1976, have dedicated fans. Pennsylvania: untwist the history of the pretzel They’re sold by vendors on the streets of New York and Chicago and turn up in ballparks, cinemas and shopping malls across the USA. Soft, warm, flecked with salt and comfortingly doughy, they smell of yeasty goodness, and practically beg to be dunked in mustard and enjoyed with a cold beer. The roots of these perfect handheld snacks lie in southern Germany – but the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, is the self-proclaimed ‘pretzel capital of the world’. The state of Pennsylvania (or ‘Pretzelvania’ if you like) is responsible for turning out 80 percent of the pretzels baked in the US each year. They’re most popular in cities with a strong German heritage, following the wave of emigration to the US in the 19th century, and are now thoroughly woven into the fabric of ‘all-American’ fare. In Philadelphia, try the knots from Miller’s Twist at Reading Terminal Market. In New York City, try the handmade ones from Union Square Pretzel Co, made from wholegrain heritage wheat. If you want a kitchen project, we've also got several pretzel recipes to try: from street cart soft pretzels to beer and rock salt pretzels (served with a decadent camembert dip), fragrant salt and cardamom pretzels and easy pretzel bites with a clever shortcut. Related content Best hotels in Wales Best UK islands for food lovers European hidden gem hotels 10 best European hotels with Michelin starred restaurants Best day trips from London by train Best seaside staycations Best restaurants in St Albans
Best probiotics UK, tried and tested by health experts 2026
While probiotics are marketed for gut health support, it’s not always clear which are worth it – here our experts help you find the right one for you
Probiotics have become increasingly popular, but with so much technical language and different products on offer, it can be difficult to know where to start. You might even be taking probiotics wrong without realising. When administered in adequate amounts, the live micro-organisms contained in probiotics may provide health benefits such as aiding digestion, lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. The strength of probiotics is measured in colony-forming units (CFU) — the higher the number the more active microbes there are per dose. Supplements cannot replace a balanced diet, and eating a variety of plant foods with high levels of fibre and consuming fermented food and drinks will also help to support the number and variety of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Read on for our pick of the best probiotics on sale in the UK right now. For more information, our friends at Good Food have a detailed guide to what are probiotics. Looking for more wellbeing inspiration? Read our guides to the best collagen supplements, best vitamin D supplements and best greens powder. Jump to: Best probiotics UK at a glance Best probiotics supplements UK to buy 2026 What type of probiotic is best? Is it worth taking probiotics UK? What to look for in probiotics? Best probiotics UK at a glance Best all-round probiotic: Vitabright Advanced Bio-Cultures Complex, £18.99 Best single-strain probiotic for targeted support: Inessa Advanced Daily Biotic, £19.99 Best probiotics for diverse strains: Swallow Probiotic Live Cultures, £35 Best probiotics for on the go: ProVen Probiotics ShapeLine, £15,75 Best high-strength probiotic: Natures Zest Bio Cultures Complex Probiotics, £20.99 Best probiotics for convenience: ProVen Probiotics For Adults – 25 Billion, £8.97 Best liquid probiotics: Symprove Daily, £79.99 Best value for money probiotics: Vitl Daily Biotic, £11.24 Best everyday probiotic: JS Health Probiotic Multi-strain, £36.99 Best probiotics supplements UK to buy 2026 Vitabright Advanced Bio-Cultures Complex Available from Amazon (£16.99), Vitabright (£18.99) Best all-round probiotic Star rating: 5/5 This probiotic gives you the choice of taking one or two capsules per day which means you'll have up to two months' supply from one bottle. We were impressed with the number of live strains in this probiotic, 11 of which are at amounts above 1bn CFU (there are 45bn CFU in total). We couldn't find any information about the exact strains of bacteria used, but overall we think this is a good option, especially given the price. Available from: Amazon (£16.99) Vitabright (£18.99) Inessa Advanced Daily Biotic Available from Inessa (£19.99) Best single-strain probiotic for targeted support Score: 4.5/5 Inessa is one of the easiest probiotics to stick with day to day and is a more focused take on probiotics. Instead of packing in multiple strains, this centres on Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, with 10 billion CFU per capsule. The capsules are small, completely neutral and do not need refrigeration, so it fits easily into a routine. The addition of glutamine adds a bit more support without making the formula complicated. It does not try to do everything, so if you are looking for a broader, multi-strain approach this may feel quite specific. But for something simple and consistent, it works well. Available from: Inessa (£19.99) Swallow Probiotic Live Cultures Available from Swallow (£35) Best probiotics for diverse strains Star rating: 4.5/5 If you're looking for a probiotic with a high number of strains, this one has an impressive 16, amounting to a total of 35 billion CFU. The capsules themselves are gastro-resistant and also contain prebiotic fibre, both of which help to support the longer survival of the probiotic bacteria. These probiotics are a bit pricey, working out at £1 a day, but can be bought on a subscription model which can bring the daily price down to 83p. The brand's updated formula has also picked up a Nourish Award, which adds to its credibility. Available from: Swallow (£35) ProVen Probiotics ShapeLine Available from Amazon (£15.75) Best probiotics for on the go Star rating: 4.5/5 While there aren't any details of what the brand's claims of making a 'shapelier you' means, once we'd got past this we were impressed by the ingredients of this probiotic capsule. It contains 50bn CFU of microbes with five different strains, although there aren't specific details of proportions provided. Included in the ingredients are vitamins D3 and C as well as zinc, so make sure you check these against any other supplements you might be taking. Available from: Amazon (£15.75) Natures Zest Bio Cultures Complex Probiotics Available from Natures Zest (£20.99) Best high-strength daily probiotic Star rating: 4/5 Natures Zest Bio Cultures Complex Probiotics delivers a potent 100 billion CFU per serving with 12 carefully selected probiotic strains plus prebiotic fibre to support digestive balance, gut microbiome health and overall wellbeing. The vegan capsules contain no artificial colours, preservatives, gluten, lactose or GMOs, making them easy to take daily without refrigeration. With 180 capsules per bottle, this provides a long supply ideal for everyday use and gut support as part of a healthy routine. Available from: Natures Zest (£20.99) ProVen Probiotics For Adults – 25 Billion Available from Amazon (£8.97), Holland & Barrett (£8.97) Best probiotics for convenience Star rating: 4/5 Also from ProVen, this probiotic has 25bn CFU from four strains, although once again the proportions aren't detailed. Other ingredients in the probiotics include calcium, zinc, selenium and vitamins C and D3. There's also FOS which acts as a prebiotic. Available from: Amazon (£8.97) Holland & Barrett (£8.97) Symprove Daily Available from Symprove (£79.99), Amazon (£61.60) Best liquid probiotics Star rating: 3.5/5 This is the only liquid-based probiotic in this list, and this is due to the fact that it's a water-based solution which helps protect the bacteria during stomach transit. It comes in three choices of flavour: original, mango & passionfruit and strawberry & raspberry. We tried the mango & passionfruit flavour which we found a little bit vinegary. It contains a total of 10bn CFU from four strains. It's worth bearing in mind that this is one of the pricier probiotics we tried, and needs to be kept in the fridge and consumed on an empty stomach. Available from: Symprove (£79.99) Amazon (£61.60) Vitl Daily Biotic Available from Amazon (£11.24), Vitl (£14.99) Best value for money probiotics Star rating: 3.5/5 With a cost of 50p per day this is the most affordable probiotic on this list. Although there are over 14bn CFU from nine different species, two thirds are below levels of 1-10bn CFU individually. The capsules are suitable for those on a vegan diet and include chicory root, an FOS, as a prebiotic source. Available from: Amazon (£11.24) Vitl (£14.99) JS Health Probiotic Multi-strain Available from JS Health (£21.99), Amazon (£36.99) Best everyday probiotic Star rating: 3.5/5 Here you get 60 tablets or two months' supply of probiotics, making it a convenient probiotic for everyday use, especially since it doesn't need to be stored in the fridge. It contains 35bn CFU from seven different strains. Available from: JS Health (£21.99) Amazon (£36.99) What type of probiotic is best? There are many different probiotic strains used in the products we tested. Each should be listed in the ingredients, for example: 'Bifidobacterium longum W11'. Here 'Bifidobacterium' refers to the genus or family name of the bacteria, 'longum' is the species or type within the family group and 'W11' indicates the specific strain. The most common strains found in probiotic supplements are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus and Bacillus families as these tend to be the most effective and have been well tested in research studies. Is it worth taking probiotics UK? It's important to look after your gut bacteria as it can impact health and wellbeing. There are lots of factors that can have an impact on the microbial balance of our guts – including high levels of stress, excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking and taking antibiotics. Taking a probiotic may help to reset the balance of microbial bacteria, for example if you've taken a course of antibiotics, or to maintain the balance of friendly bacteria within your gut. What to look for in probiotics? There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a probiotic supplement. The first is the number of colony-forming units (CFU) per dose, which really needs to be over 1bn (for each type of bacteria) to be effective. It's also important to look at the specific bacteria that's included in the product and, if it's not one of the most popular forms, to double check whether it's been tested in clinical trials. Other elements to improve the performance of probiotics include a food source for the bacteria, and the delivery method. 'Prebiotic' is the term usually used for for the former, which help fuel the microbes and will be listed in the ingredients. Most common prebiotics include fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS). The delivery method — that's either the coating on the capsule or the liquid base — is important to ensure the probiotics reach the gut where they are needed. An enteric coating will protect against stomach acid and help the bacteria reach the intestine alive; while a water-based liquid will progress quickly through the gut, giving the bacteria a better chance of survival. Related content Best vitamin B12 supplement Best biotin supplement UK Best ashwagandha supplement UK Best protein bars Best magnesium supplement Best portable blenders Best Nutribullet Best Ninja air-fryer Best small air-fryer UK Best dual air-fryer
Looking for the best spots to eat pizza in the capital? We've rounded up our top places, whether you’re after a New York-style slice or an artisanal sourdough base
Looking for the best pizza in London? Here's our guide to the best pizza places in London and the best takeaway pizza. Whether you want a thin and crispy pizza base or a traditional Neapolitan pizza, we’ve found the best pizza restaurants in London. From pizza in Bethnal Green to pizza in Belgravia, check out our favourite pizza places. If you fancy making your own pizza, check out our best ever pizza recipes here, or read the lowdown on pizza styles and where to find them. Check out more of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Kings Cross, best restaurants in Chelsea, best restaurants in Brixton and best restaurants in Paddington. Also see our pick of the best Italian restaurants in London for more pizza and other regional dishes. Best for thin-crust: Weezie's Weezie's is the latest addition to London's growing collection of pizzerias dishing up crisp, thin-crust pizzas. This venture is from Abbie Roden and Will Sandbach, the duo behind neighbouring wine bar amie. Located within Eccleston Yards, the coveted spot's reclaimed furniture and high ceilings make it feel more chic hideout than pizza joint. Which pizza to order at Weezie's? Pizza is made with Wildfarmed regeneratively farmed flour and premium British ingredients. The compact menu sticks to a few classic flavour pairings, along with some inventive options such as a white pizza swirled with garlic-whipped labneh, watercress, smoked pickle dressing and chives. The highlight, the sobrassada – topped with fior di latte, Curing Rebels sobrassada, charred sweetcorn, hot honey, parmesan dusting and fresh parsley – steals the show with its vivid toppings and balance of creamy, umami-rich flavours. What else is there to eat and drink? Buttermilk ranch and confit garlic mayo make for punchy crust-dipping. There's also a generously piled pickle plate to start and Torres crisps loaded with aged ham, guindillas, cornichons and a parmesan blanket. Wine is provided by the studio next door, so you can expect quaffable rosé, crémant and orange, along with a four-strong cocktail selection: spicy margaritas were already out of stock by 7pm but we did enjoy a botanical lemon spritz with Allora aperitivo. Address: 4, 15 Eccleston Yards, London SW1W 9AZ Nearest tube station: Victoria Opening times: Tuesday-Friday (5pm-10pm); Saturday-Sunday (12pm-10pm) Best for trendy London pizza: Hot Saint Pizza at The Old Queen's Head Tom Budakan, former chef from beloved Dough Hands, is busy bringing his own spin on London-style pizza to this convivial Islington pub. Expect crispy pizzas with a base made from a high-protein Canadian flour and a small amount of rye for a slightly nutty flavour. The dough is fermented for a minimum of 48 hours to ensure a light yet crisp crust. Which pizza to order at Hot Saint Pizza? Tom's concise menu majors on all the classic pizzas, along with a few unique flavour combinations, such as our favourite, the Spicy Hawaiian (San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, guanciale and smoked ham hock, pineapple, smoked chilli and jalapeños). The Shrooms Bianca – topped with fior di latte, roasted oyster and chestnut mushrooms, dolcelatte, caramelised onions and parmesan – will convert shroom sceptics for its tangy, umami-rich profile. What else is there to eat and drink? Garlic ranch and smoky chilli make above average dips. There are also pizza sandwiches, which include the Spicy Chicken Parm with vodka sauce, fior di latte, pesto and basil, and the House Meatball, with vodka sauce, smoked mozzarella, pesto and red onion. Order drinks from the bar, run by The Columbo Group (the team behind The Parakeet and The Jazz Cafe). Think expert cocktails and a great beer selection: we enjoyed an Asahi on draught plus a fruity sweet plum margarita, made with Patrón Reposado, plum wine, lime and agave. Address: 44 Essex Road, London N1 8LN Nearest tube station: Angel Opening times: Monday-Thursday (4pm-10pm), Friday-Saturday (12pm-9:30pm), Sunday (12pm-6:45pm) Best for crispy 18-inch pizzas: Spring Street Pizza Tucked beneath the arches off Southwark Bridge Road, Spring Street Pizza is the latest project from Michelin-starred chef Tom Kemble. Drawing on over 15 years’ experience at the helm of acclaimed restaurants, Kemble brings a refined yet relaxed approach to this pizzeria, merging the bold character of New York pizza joints with a polished London aesthetic. Which pizza to order at Spring Street Pizza? Impressive 18-inch New York-style pizzas are available whole or as half-and-half, crafted with premium ingredients for maximum flavour. The dough is made in-house and undergoes a 48–72 hour fermentation, resulting in a crust that is light, crisp and perfect for dipping into house sauces such as green goddess and confit garlic aioli. The menu caters for traditionalists with classic marinara and margherita options, while those seeking something more adventurous might opt for the New Yorker, topped with San Marzano tomato, pepperoni from rebel charcuterie, Parmigiano Reggiano, hot honey and basil. What else is there to eat and drink? Try the fried breadcrumb mozzarella sticks finished with 22-month parmesan, or round off your meal with smooth vanilla soft-serve, sour cherry and pistachio. The drinks list is carefully chosen, including cocktails, wines and beers; notable choices are the mezcal margarita with a hint of chilli and a zesty Italian orange wine. Address: Arch 32, Southwark Quarter, Southwark St, London SE1 1TE Nearest tube station: London Bridge Opening times: Tuesday (5pm-10pm); Wednesday-Saturday (12pm-10pm); Sunday (12pm-9pm) Best for NYC-style slices: Vincenzo's Shoreditch Vincenzo's in Shoreditch is the second location from Tom Vincent, who opened his first location in Bushey in 2022 and watched it become a cult favourite. You can now find his signature crispy, thin-crust whole pies and pizza by the slice in the capital, bringing New York’s late-night energy and providing Londoners with a new way to enjoy pizza: fresh, hot, generous slices to grab and go. It's made such a mark that it's already a buzzing London institution. Which pizza to order at Vincenzo's? Order by the slice or indulge in a 16-inch pie if you're hungry. NYC fold is served on grease-stained paper plates, with simple toppings alongside the likes of spicy vodka sauce, plus a fun take on a Greek-inspired spanakopita. NY slices are the emphasis, however our favourite has to be the focaccia, served by the square: it's tangy, chewy and loaded with premium toppings like burrata and pepperoni (drizzled in hot honey, no less). Super heavenly, though be warned: you may never look at pizza the same way again. What else is there to eat and drink? It's primarily a grab and go situation, with just a few stools to perch, so the only thing left to order are the quietly formidable dips: a hot and sweet roquito ranch (our favourite), truffle mayo, garlic and herb, and hot honey. There's also a range of soft drinks. Address: 122 Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6DG Nearest tube station: Shoreditch High Street Opening times: Wednesday-Sunday (12pm-10pm) Best for 'Britalian' pizza: Connie's Find this smart and cosy pizzeria set under the arches of Queen’s Road Peckham, taking over the site formerly occupied by South African restaurant Little Kudu. It is the latest project from Andrea Asciuti, founder of acclaimed Neapolitan hot spot 081 Pizzeria. Named after his wife, the focus is on Britalian style pizzas, injecting London-style pizza (light, crispy, premium toppings) with Italian soul, all while using seasonal, local ingredients. Which pizza to order at Connie's? Andrea leaves his expertise in Neapolitan-style pizza behind for pies which are crisp and airy, with dough fermented for 36-48 hours and baked at 370C using American flour (you won't find floppy slices here). Expect up to eight different pizzas on the menu, from a classic margherita to a double pepperoni with hot honey, as well as 'nduja and British stracciatella. What else is there to eat and drink? There is a quartet of starters to choose from: cheesy dough balls, deep-fried mac ’n’ cheese, mozzarella sticks and meatballs. The mozzarella fingers easily make it into the cheese-pull hall of fame, while the mac 'n' cheese bites make crunchy morsels which taste even better liberally dunked into a pot of tangy blue cheese sauce. There is one dessert, presented in three forms: fiocco di neve mini brioche filled with either pistachio, Nutella or ricotta whipped cream. Address: 133 Queen’s Road, SE15 2ND. Nearest train station: Queen's Road Peckham Opening times: Monday-Wednesday (5-11pm); Thursday-Saturday (12-11pm); Sunday (12-10pm) Best for deep-dish Detroit pizza: Ria's Ria’s is a cosy, laid-back spot selling fantastic deep-dish Detroit-style pizza and natural wines. It's perfect for intimate dates and candle-lit catch-ups, full of charm and character. The latest Soho site is snug yet stylishly furnished, building on everything that made the Notting Hill original a hit, with exciting new slices and a low-lit wine cave. Which pizza to order at Ria's? Ria’s ferments its dough for up to 72 hours, which gives it a deeper flavour and a deliciously chewy crust. Deep-dish pizza is filling but the pies at Ria’s never feel too much. Our favourite flavours were the House Pie and the Soho Chilli Crisp. The first had a red sauce base and a devilishly delicious combination of ricotta, basil and lemon drizzle. The latter was laden with ’nduja, Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli oil, pickled shallots, spring onions and aged parmesan – tongue-tingling and tangy. What else is there to eat and drink? There is a great range of natural wine to sip alongside your slice at Ria’s: we enjoyed a glass of Orange de Rias for its tropical brightness, and a glass of Herrigoia – a crunchy, easy-going red with tart cherry notes. There's also a small but sharp cocktail list, bottled beer and a good range of soft drinks. If you’ve got room for dessert, treat yourself to a deep-fried Mars bar with soft serve vanilla ice cream. Sprinkled with a little bit of sea salt, it really is the ultimate treat. Address: 29 Foubert's Place, London W1F 7QF Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus Opening times: Monday-Sunday (12pm-10pm) Best for London-style pizza: Dough Hands Dough Hands has garnered a cult following due to its crisp dough and feather-light crust, made possible by baking its pizzas low and slow at 350 degrees. Led by pizzaiolo Hannah Drye, this trendy pizza joint is co-pioneering the emerging London pizza, a style which mashes up various influences including a New York inspired thin crust and light base. Dough Hands is currently doing a permanent kitchen residency at Hackney-based The Spurstowe Arms. Which pizza to order at Dough Hands? The menu features a handful of 12-inch pizzas. The Jode – arguably the most popular and delicious – sees spicy sausage and stracciatella drizzled with hot honey, finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil and parmesan. Veggies have a cause to celebrate thanks to the Shroomy 2.0, one of the freshest vegetarian offerings we’ve tried. Expect mushrooms roasted in soy sauce, topped with soft taleggio cheese, tarragon, garlic and grana padano. The soy provides a rich umami kick which isn’t typically seen atop mushroom pizzas. What else is there to eat and drink? Sides are kept simple, with just the garlic bread available, covered in a herby garlic butter. Dips includes everyone’s favourite garlic and herb, as well as Dough Hands’ signature hot honey and very own fermented hot sauce. Happy Endings ice cream sandwiches are also available at the bar. We washed down our pizzas with a cold beer – we opted for a pint of Lucky Saint lager and a Lazer Crush by Beavertown, a razor-sharp alcohol-free IPA. Address: The Spurstowe Arms, 68 Greenwood Rd, London E8 1AB Nearest train station: Hackney Central Opening times: Monday-Thursday (4:30-9pm); Friday (3:30-9pm); Saturday (12-9:30pm) and Sunday (12-6pm) Best for contemporary Neapolitan pizza: Renaissance Award-winning pizzaiolo Marco Fuso brings 20 years of expertise to this friendly south London pizzeria. Taking a contemporary Neapolitan approach, the team uses a slow-risen dough and employs a 48-hour fermentation process, alongside a focus on experimental Italian ingredients. Unlike traditional wood-fired ovens, Renaissance uses a high-tech Moretti Forni electric oven – pizza is cooked at around 370 degrees for a few minutes to produce a bite which is soft and light, with a crisp, blistered crust. Which pizza to order at Renaissance? Expect a lot of options with up to 20 pizzas on offer. We were drawn to the unique flavours of the zucca piccante (pumpkin sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, stilton, ‘nduja di Spilinga, parmesan and Italian sausage). Pumpkin and 'nduja made a winning flavour combination, striking a perfect balance of cream and heat. You can also expect classic favourites like salami, featuring rich San Marzano tomatoes and creamy fior di latte mozzarella. What else is there to eat and drink? Marco’s commitment to spotlighting premium produce is demonstrated in the Italian-led drinks menu. We enjoyed a light refreshing Amarcord lager and a herbal Cynar spritz, which acts as the perfect bridge between an Aperol and Campari. For dessert, skip the tiramisu and order the the pasticciotto leccese, a delicacy from Marco's hometown of Lecce: a little shortcrust pie filled with gooey pistachio cream and dusted with icing sugar, it should be a fixture at all pizzerias. Address: 1 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HG Nearest train station: Clapham Junction Opening times: Tuesday-Thursday (5pm-10pm); Friday (5pm-11pm); Saturday (12pm-11pm); Sunday (12pm-9:30pm) Best for inventive Napoli pizza: Napoli on the Road Hidden in the back streets of Richmond you'll find this little gem of a pizza restaurant. The space is intimate and perfect for a date night or special occasion. Which pizza to order at Napoli on the Road? The pizza here is second to none – no surprise really as chef and owner Michele Pascarella won Global Pizza Maker of the Year in 2023. Famed for his inventive take on pizza, the ever-changing seasonal menu features exciting flavour combinations like roasted pumpkin, rosemary and blue cheese, alongside the classics, like margherita. On visiting, we were blown away by the lighter than air, chewy base and quality toppings, as well as the friendly service which took us outside our pizza comfort zones. What else is there to eat and drink? Highlights include the shaved fennel salad with crumbled ricotta, olives and oregano, and the spicy pepperoni slice – both starters that worked perfectly with a negroni. We ended the night with a vast slice of tiramisu and a cloud of boozy crème diplomate and mille-feuille pastry. Full to the brim and happy, a walk along the river was just the ticket. Address: 12 Red Lion St, Richmond TW9 1RW Nearest train station: Richmond Opening times: Monday-Thursday (5pm-10pm); Friday-Sunday (12pm-10:15pm) Best for simple Neapolitan: Santa Maria Tucked away from the bustle of Paddington Station, Santa Maria brings a slice of Naples to west London with a laid-back, quirky vibe – think colourful wall art, cosy booths and a buzzy, casual energy. A new menu features bold creations alongside the signature Neapolitan pizzas. The menu is all about pizza, done properly – chewy, charred crusts and punchy toppings, with a few exciting twists. Which pizza to order at Santa Maria? The standout? San Ciro – a collaboration with Naples’ Bro Pizzeria and a fiery, rule-breaking combo of smoked mozzarella, pepperoni, spicy pineapple reduction, black lime dust and parmesan crisps. The menu cheekily warns “It’s not a pizza for Neapolitans” – a nod to the rebellious twist on tradition, and it’s absolutely worth trying while it lasts. What else is there to eat and drink? Skip starters and go straight for the pizza but leave room for the Pan di Stelle dessert – a rich mascarpone and Nutella chocolate mousse crowned with Italy’s iconic biscuit. Vegan options are well represented, including a silky vegan salted caramel ice cream that shines in an affogato. Drinks-wise, expect Italian beers and spritzes, and relaxed, no-fuss service. Address: 3 Norfolk Place, Tyburnia, London W2 1QJ Nearest train station: Paddington Opening times: Sunday to Thursday (11:30am-10pm); Friday-Saturday (11:30am-10:30pm) Best for deep pan pizza: Little Earthquakes This original concept from chef Neil Rankin and From the Ashes BBQ has taken up residency in Dalston boozer The Railway Tavern, serving up pies nostalgically inspired by deep pan pizza brand Chicago Town, using Italian and British ingredients supplied by local businesses around Newington Green, with sourdough bases made using Wildfarmed regenerative flour. Which pizza to order at Little Earthquakes? The pizzas may only be six inches in size but they deliver plenty of bang for their buck – decadent deep dish affairs with crunchy caramelised crusts, topped with mozzarella and snowy drifts of pecorino. Fillings are hearty and deliver maximum flavour. We tried the richly meaty and umami salami ragu using fennel salami, and the taleggio and guanciale, inspired by a classic carbonara, is lusciously cheesy and porky, the saltiness balanced by a touch of honey. What else is there to eat and drink? While the pizzas are the main focus you can also order the likes of plant-based meatballs (from Neil’s own Symplicity brand), cheesy focaccia, caponata parmigiana and a wonderfully OTT pizza focaccia sandwich with a hefty wedge of mortadella. Refresh yourself with traditional cask ales and craft beers from the pub bar. Address: The Railway Tavern, 2 St Jude Street, London N16 8JT Nearest train station: Dalston Kingsland Opening times: Tuesday to Friday (6-9pm); Saturdays (3-9pm) Best for authentic Neapolitan pizza: Fatto a Mano Fatto a Mano pays homage to the classic Neapolitan pizza, where soft and pillowy is favoured over thin and crispy. Dough is made from scratch every day, proved for a minimum of 24 hours then topped by a pizzaioli who cooks each pizza in a wood-fired oven at 450 degrees for no more than 90 seconds (just as they do in Naples). You can enjoy a slice of Fatto’s wood-fired magic at its newest branch in Soho. Which pizza to order at Fatto a Mano? Pizzas are lightly digestible and beautiful swollen at the cornicione rims, topped with artisanal ingredients such as ventricina (spicy salami), Neal's Yard goat's cheese and friarielli (Neapolitan broccoli). We enjoyed the special, Bella Disgrazia (the beautiful disgrace), a creative spin on the controversial ham and pineapple that combined spicy roast pineapple, spicy salami, black pepper pancetta, mozzarella, parmesan and chives, drizzled in ‘nduja honey. What else is there to eat and drink? Those looking for a full-on feast are in luck with comforting Italian starters and sides in abundance. Highlights include hot, crisp and perfectly plump truffle and gorgonzola arancini, and the spicy beef and pork ragu lasagne fritta, paired with a pot of 'nduja honey. For drinks kickstart the evening with a classic aperitivo such as a negroni, then make your way through the impressive list of Italian wines or Brighton beers. A wedge of gelato cookie sandwich is compulsory to wrap up proceedings, a salty-sweet blend of honeycomb and salted caramel. Address: 95 Dean St, London W1D 3SX Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road Opening times: Mon-Thurs 12-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12-10:30pm, Sunday 12-9:30pm Best for thin-crust pizza: Alley Cats Pizza Alley Cats pays homage to New York’s iconic pizza scene, with hunger-busting, thin and crispy 14" pizzas. London’s latest pizza outpost off Marylebone High Street is a small yet buzzy space, with gingham tablecloths, dimly lit lamps and a projector playing The Sopranos transporting diners to 90s NYC. Be prepared to queue, as it’s walk-in-only. Which pizza to order at Alley Cats? If you prefer a thin-crust over a sloppy Neapolitan, you’ve come to the right place. The impressive 14" size is achieved through baking the pizzas in the traditional thin and crispy style, which are presented on silver stands by the side of your table. The menu is compact, with seven pizzas on offer. It includes the Smoked Pepperoni (tomato, aged mozzarella, habanero and honey) and our personal favourite, the white-based Wild Mushroom, with three types of wild shrooms and topped with taleggio, aged mozzarella, red onion jam and fried sage. Up the ante by adding dips – we tried a spicy ranch and herb-flecked aïoli. What else is there to eat and drink? Don’t skip the starters for fear of over-ordering: the beefy meatballs are a must-try, slathered in slow-cooked tomato sauce and showered in aged parmesan. Cheesy garlic knots are hot, doughy morsels with a dunkable pot of tomato sauce. The dessert menu is short but complimentary: tiramisu and soft scoop ice-cream. The latter can be customised with your choice of toffee sauce, roasted hazelnuts or peanuts. Address: 22 Paddington St, London W1U 5QY Nearest tube station: Baker Street Opening times: Monday-Sunday (12pm-11pm) Best in Soho: Rudy’s Neapolitan Pizza Rudy’s outpost in Soho (they have pizzerias scattered across the north of England, including Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds) makes a worthy addition to the scene. Which pizza to order at Rudy's? Pizza toppings are crowd-pleasing, from parmigiana with roasted aubergine to spicy calabrese with ‘nduja sausage and cinghiale with wild boar salami. Our lavishly topped capricciosa with creamy fior de latte, prosciutto, mushrooms, Kalamata olives and artichoke hearts ticked all the boxes, but it was the base that really impressed — well-flavoured and pillowy while still being satisfyingly chewy. All of Rudy’s pizzas — baked daily using 24-hour fermented dough — are made by trained and accredited pizzaiolos. What else is there to eat and drink? Start with an aperitivo of Campari and soda, which arrives premixed in a dinky little bottle alongside a bowl of salted crisps for snacking, before moving onto generous sharing platters loaded with deli treats and house-baked bread. Address: 80 Wardour Street, London, W1F 0TF Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus Opening times: Friday-Saturday (12-10:30pm), Sunday-Thursday (12-9:30pm) Best pizza and beer in East London: Ace Pizza at Pembury Tavern This historic Hackney boozer is the home of Ace Pizza, a fun-loving pizza brand famed for its slow risen, picture-perfect Neapolitan pizzas which are stone baked for longer to achieve a crispier crust. Pembury Tavern is also under the stewardship of The Five Points Brewing Company, a local and independent brewery with modern brewing at the heart of its work. Which pizza to order at Ace? If you like your pizzas heavily topped, doughy and with lashings of sauce, try the chicken shawarma, a fun spin on the classic kebab where house-made shawarma is layered with red onions, spicy marinara, garlic and herb sauce, Guindilla peppers, mozzarella, and fresh parsley. Pickled pink onion is the magic ingredient though, providing a gloriously tangy flavour to cut through the creamy garlic sauce. What else is there to eat and drink? Pizzas span meat, veggie and vegan with the menu divided into red, white and green bases. Vegans can indulge in ‘Ooh Mami’, the creamy truffle bechamel providing the perfect base for a smattering of portobello mushrooms, cashew ricotta, caramelised onions, oregano oil, porcini salt and fresh parsley. Crust dippers include the enticing truffle aioli and a lip-smacking, fittingly named ‘crack sauce’. And, as the pub is a Five Points Brewery pub, plenty of beer is available to pair with your pizza, including a Five Points favourite the JUPA, a juicy and fruity pale ale with bold, citrus flavours. Address: 90 Amhurst Rd, London E8 1JH Nearest tube station: Hackney Downs Opening times: Monday-Wednesday (4-11pm) Thursday-Friday (4-12am) Saturday (12-12am) Sunday (12-11pm) Best for vegan pizza: Purezza The UK’s first 100% vegan pizzeria, Purezza specialises in plant-based pizzas that respect the Neapolitan heritage. Where possible, this means using alternative versions of animal products, such as a plant-based mozzarella, which took more than two years to develop – this organic cheese (that’s dairy-free, low in fat and allergen-free) is made with brown rice milk and is unique to Purezza. Last year, the restaurant secured investment to begin producing the cheese from a factory for retail. The original Brighton restaurant opened in 2015 and was followed three years later by a Camden branch and plans for more later this year. In 2018, Purezza won National Pizza of the Year for its Parmigiana Party pizza, despite being the only plant-based entrant. Address: 43 Parkway, London, Nw1 7PN Nearest station: Camden Town Opening times: Sunday – Thursday (12 – 10pm), Friday – Saturday (12 – 11pm) Best sourdough pizza in London: Theo’s Head to Theo’s in Camberwell for the best sourdough pizza in London. Its wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas are the best in South London. Which pizza to order at Theo's? The Scotch Bonnet nduja is the menu must-order, as the spiced sausage is made across the road by the team at the Camberwell Arms pub. What else is there to eat and drink? Save room for a serving of Theo's outrageously good tiramisu, and order a negroni bianco or espresso martini to finish. If you don’t fancy sitting in, Theo’s do delivery, so it’s up there with the best takeaway pizza in London, too. Address: 2 Grove Ln, Camberwell, London, SE5 8SY Nearest overground station: Denmark Hill Opening times: Monday (12 – 10pm), Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday (12 – 10:30pm), Friday – Saturday (12 – 11pm) Best for pizza garlic bread: Sodo Pizza With six sites across London London, Sodo pizza is the place to go for a light, crispy, tangy base. Which pizza to order at Sodo Pizza? Head to the Walthamstow restaurant on the weekend for a brunch of pizza topped with eggs and sausage and, if it’s warm enough, grab one of the outside tables and order a Bloody Mary or two. What else is there to eat and drink? While the pizzas are great, we love the sourdough garlic bread topped with sweet, crisp rosemary and drizzled with an earthy olive oil. Address: Hatherley Mews, Walthamstow, London, E17 4QP Nearest tube station: Walthamstow Opening times: Tuesday – Friday (12 – 10pm), Saturday – Sunday (10 – 10pm) Fancy something sweet now? Click here for our chocolate chip cookie pizza recipe Photographs: Steven Joyce (Doughnation)
Best hotels in the Cotswolds for a chocolate-box country getaway
This quaint corner of England is home to cosy hotels and some culinary surprises, among them artisan Israeli baking, hip burger vans and fragrant Asian broths
Looking for where to stay in the Cotswolds? Want to find Cotswolds hotels for foodies? Check out our guide to the best places to eat, drink and stay in the Cotswolds.... The Cotswolds is all your chocolate-box fantasies rolled into one – honey-hued cottages, gardens brimming with hollyhocks huddled around duck-paddled ponds. The names are as pretty as the scenery: Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold. Even the local rare breeds (Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs) have a bonny ring. The Cotswolds is Cider with Rosie country: a bucolic idyll packaged for tourists who traipse here to mooch around antique shops and take afternoon tea. The Cotswolds is quintessentially quaint. It’s also unexpectedly vast. Count its counties: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, plus corners of Wiltshire, Somerset, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. From north to south it’s a 100-mile schlep. Off-the-beaten-track is a concept the Cotswolds lost long ago, but its central belt – a lopsided oblong with Burford, Cheltenham, Stroud and Lechlade at the corners – does fly slightly below the radar. Check our our guide to the best restaurants in the Cotswolds for all the must visit places to eat and drink during your visit. For more travel inspiration, check out our guide to the best Scottish hotels, best UK boutique hotels, best UK spa hotels for food lovers or best European hidden gem hotels. Where to stay in the Cotswolds for foodies The Bell at Charlbury, Daylesford Rooms start at £194 per night, based on two adults sharing. Check availability on their website. The newest of its stable of pubs with rooms, The Bell has all the hallmarks of a Daylesford bolthole: a commitment to local suppliers, largely British menu and cute motif (see the bell on plates, menus and staff T-shirts). The 17th-century building is home to a dozen cosy bedrooms, with a contemporary barn at the rear. There’s more to the pub than a smart market town boozer. Discreetly positioned behind the main building, The Barn serves weekend wood-fired feasting menus – rotisserie chicken, roasts, whole lobster. In summer there’s an additional dining space in The Bell’s acre of apple orchard. The pub’s small, welcoming dining room serves classics like a half pint of prawns, soups, salads, cheeseburger, fish pie, sticky toffee pudding and crumbles, with locally farmed ingredients. Daily specials range from the luxurious, including a chateaubriand for two or whole roasted brill, to a simple porchetta and apple sauce bap. Beers on tap are from family-owned Hook Norton and Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone, Daylesford’s own cider, gins and English sparkling wine. Exposed brick, embroidered bedspreads and reclaimed wooden furniture create a homely, rustic atmosphere. And four posters, red stripes, and crisp blue and white checks feel very British. Rooms start at £194 per night, based on two adults sharing. Check availability on their website. Bower House, Shipston-on-Stour Doubles from £127, check rates and availability at booking.com or bower.house Tucked into the very centre of Shipston-on-Stour, The Bower House makes a compelling case for this corner of Warwickshire as a destination in its own right. Just 10 miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, it combines a restaurant and five bedrooms with the kind of quietly confident hospitality that feels earned rather than performed. Inside, exposed brick, warm timber and low lighting create an atmosphere that is sophisticated without being stiff. Upstairs the bedrooms are individually decorated and properly comfortable – Hypnos mattresses, Egyptian cotton, bespoke beds – and if you're lucky a freestanding bath. Head chef Leo Kattou's cooking is produce-led, with menus that shift to reflect what's available and at its best. A beef tartare arrives with a small scoop of caviar on top – a classic dish made even more luxurious. Lamb with asparagus, wild garlic and stuffed morels follows and is perfectly executed. The wine list, developed with The Stroud Wine Company and the town's own Sheldon's, mixes familiar producers with smaller vineyards – the team is incredibly knowledgeable so feel free to lean on them for recommendations. Breakfast is delicious whether you are going for the cooked offering or something lighter, it’s best accompanied with a glass of apple juice pressed from the owner's own orchard. Doubles from £127, check rates and availability at booking.com or bower.house The Fox at Oddington From £225 per night, check availability at thefoxatoddington.com The newest addition to the Daylesford stable, the group’s pared-back aesthetic is tempered here with a light-hearted foxy theme on everything from topiary to tableware. Its airy bar and Saddle Room is built around a lively open kitchen where chefs knock out the kind of relaxed, seasonal food we could eat every day. Sustainability is built into all Daylesford does, most visibly in the pub’s living roof, planted with wildflowers and herbs, and acting as a nectar source for bees. Chef Alan Gleeson’s menu of modern classics encourages sharing, from a half-pint of prawns and some Daylesford cheese to the full three courses. Small plates including tuna tartare with soy and ginger, and heritage tomatoes teamed with feta and mint are a promising start. A decent, tender pork chop comes with greens and apple; a simple plaice with seaweed butter and Ratte potatoes. Flatbread with lardo, anchovy and salsa verde is a must-try, as is Korean fried chicken. There’s usually a fruit tart and a dark chocolate mousse with pistachio biscotti. At breakfast, The Fox is flooded with light. Oversized plants and artfully placed saddles all echo the Gloucestershire location. Omelette Arnold Bennett, a rich haddock and cheese concoction, is served with hollandaise in a mini skillet; french toast with poached apricots is equally luxurious, as are breakfast brioche rolls. Wood-beamed rooms are decorated with hunting scenes and local wildlife from local artists. Sheepskins, woollen rugs and quilted blankets add a cosy touch to crisp white bedding. Some rooms include a free-standing bath, showers are powerful and fragrant with sage and geranium Bamford botanical products. Check availability at thefoxatoddington.com Dormy House, Broadway From £215 per night, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Despite the grandeur, this 17th-century Cotswolds farmhouse, transformed into a foodie spa hotel, is as welcoming as it is luxurious. There are 38 bedrooms spread across the main house and farmhouse outbuildings. Two Hot Tub Suites, in individual cottages with their own private patios, are decorated with delicate floral-printed wallpaper, upcycled furniture and Kilner jars filled with ginger biscuits. A quaint feel overall, although there are modern additions: tablets instead of books, for example. The Potting Shed serves hearty pub-style food (think spiced cauliflower pie and double-patty burgers) in a low-key setting, while The Back Garden celebrates homegrown produce with simple, seasonal dishes. At the latter, you’ll eat at sleek marble tables, usually with a view of Dormy House’s vegetable plots. Check availability at mrandmrssmith.com The Wheatsheaf, Northleach From £117 per night, check availability on booking.com As glam as it is cosy, former coaching inn The Wheatsheaf Inn, set in a restored 17th-century Cotswold stone building, has three log fires, as well as a wood-burning stove in the snug. Get comfortable with some craft beer or a bottle of wine from the 300-strong list. There’s culinary clout too with seasonal, daily changing dishes, such as grilled whole lemon sole, grapes, capers and limes, or meltingly rare beef from Cirencester. The 14 stylish rooms here are more bourgeois bolthole than humble inn. Check availability on booking.com The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell From £120 per night, check availability at mrandmrssmith.com An 18th century former rectory in the heart of picturesque Crudwell, recently refurbished The Rectory Hotel is all about intimate dinners, fireside cocktails and country walks followed by hearty food. Originally the rectory to the village church, this ancient stone building oozes relaxed country manor. Homemade cordial welcomes rosy-cheeked walkers into the drawing room, where you can warm up by the log fire and sink into pretty peacock feather-hued cushions. The 18 rooms are all unique, with the first floor hosting more spacious rooms, and the second floor benefitting from exposed oak beams. The team at The Rectory Hotel has freshened up the interiors to preserve original features (little fireplaces, sash windows, panelled walls) and antiques, but add a checklist of little hotel luxuries (Robert’s Radios, tea and coffee from local roasters UE and Jeeves and Jericho). Beds are like huge armchairs, with velvet curved headboards in mustard yellow and forest green. The kitchen focuses on refreshed classics. Unfussy comfort food includes fish pie, and pretty salads using fresh produce grown in the allotments behind The Potting Shed pub over the road (sister business to the hotel). The grill section includes flat-iron chicken with lemon, aioli and fries, Chateaubriand for two with roast beetroot, crispy shallots and wild rocket, and grilled catch of the day (turbot from Dorset on our visit, served with buttery Lime Regis new potatoes, watercress and a ramekin of Hollandaise). The breakfast spread, taken in The Glasshouse overlooking the gardens, is impressive. Graze on homemade granola, fresh fruits, mini pastries and ham and cheese before taking your pick from the made-to-order hot menu (French toast, avocado on sourdough, eggs any style) and topping up from the DIY bloody mary station. Check availability at mrandmrssmith.com Artist Residence, South Leigh From £120 per night, check availability at booking.com In a sleepy village in rural Oxfordshire Justin and Charlie Salisbury, the duo behind quirky Artist Residence hotel group, have restored a 16th century Cotswold-stone farmhouse and opened it as their fourth property, Mr Hanbury’s Masons Arms. A community-focused pub, with five perfectly put-together bedrooms upstairs, Mr Hanbury’s is split into two areas – a cosy bar area with a classic pub menu and a more sophisticated dining room where guests can enjoy a fine dining menu. Each of the five bedrooms here has its own unique quirks. Room number 4 boasts a ginormous free-standing copper bath to sink into with Bramley bubble bath, while number 2 has Sri Lankan tea chests as bedside tables and a window that looks out onto the vegetable patch. Check availability at booking.com Thyme, Southrop From £325 per night, check availability at booking.com Set deep in the rolling Cotswolds countryside, in the quiet village of Southrop, Thyme is exactly what you want from a rural escape. A 150-acre estate, it is home to a cookery school, pub, holiday cottages, cocktail bar and restaurant while the 15th century manor house at its heart (and various outlying barns) is now a boutique hotel. The renovation of the latter was a labour of love for its energetic, and charming, owner Caryn Hibbert and it shows. Crunch over a gravel drive and you arrive at an impressive, honey-stone Tithe Barn, home to The Baa (yes, really) with its great cocktail list. Not a bad way to kick off a stay. Check availability at booking.com The Swan, Ascott-under-Wychwood From £100 per night, check availability at booking.com This 16th-century half-timbered inn, at the heart of pretty Ascott-under-Wychwood, has been revamped by hotel gurus Sam and Georgie Pearman (the couple are also behind the spruced-up Talbot in Malton). It bears all their hip-yet-homely hallmarks, including playful, eclectic furnishings and art, sink-into beds and in-room baths stocked with 100 Acres Apothecary products made (by Georgie) from natural botanicals. You’ll also find the usual attention to detail, from swan-shaped room keys crafted at the local forge to homemade cookies in bedrooms. British to the core, it appeals to locals, young and old, and city foodies seeking a rural weekend escape. Seasonality and creativity drives head chef Adam Abbott, previously of The Wild Rabbit in Kingham. You only have to look at his pork pies, made using rare-breed meats from Herefordshire’s Huntsham Court Farm, to see that he doesn’t compromise on quality. Vegetarians will be happy here, too – starters might include broad bean hummus topped with spiced aubergine and grated hazelnuts, served with a platter of mixed sourdough breads from nearby Chipping Norton. From the choice of mains, try The Swan’s signature smoked haddock Monte Carlo and a wholesome vegetables-and-grains bowl. Drinks are local where possible. On tap at the bar is Bobby Beer, Cotswold Lager and Pearson’s cider. Local brewery Hook Norton rules the roost when it comes to beer, and for vodka, there’s Black Cow from Dorset. Check availability at booking.com Sign of the Angel Inn, Lacock From £115 per night, check availability at booking.com Dating back to the 15th century, this former coaching inn sits in the heart of Lacock village. With its rough stone walls, well-worn tiled floors, moody oak-panelled snugs and imposing inglenook fireplace it’s a cosy setting for some hearty West Country food and an early night. Out at the back, a garden leads to a stream and a paddock. West Country ingredients are put to good use in the regularly changing, seasonal menu from the 2 AA rosette kitchen. Expect local game in the autumn, hunks of blushing lamb in the spring and plenty of veg, potato and pastry all year round. Whenever you visit, though, expect to kick things off with homemade bread, slabs of cold, salted butter, oil and balsamic vinegar and a little canapé – on our visit a comforting offering of sliced white enriched with blue cheese, brown flecked with rocket and lemon, and mouthfuls of pressed rabbit, apple and fiercely pickled red onions. There are five bedrooms at Sign of the Angel and each is comfortably chic. With little else to do in the village after dark – there’s only one other pub within walking distance – prepare for an early night. At the foot of our sink-into bed, topped with duck down and feather pillows and fringed with a homely grey blanket, thick, large towels beg to be used after a long soak in the tub. Check availability at booking.com The Bell Inn, Lechlade From £67 per night, check availability at booking.com There are plenty of contemporary-chic gastropubs in the Cotswolds but not all manage to retain the laid-back feel of a village boozer after their Farrow & Ball transformations. Happily The Bell, a 17th-century inn in pretty Langford, on the fringes of west Oxfordshire, does. Its combination of rustic, wood-fired comfort food, stone-flagged dining rooms, and affable service, makes it a congenial space to unwind. Eight stylishly simple bedrooms mean you can settle down to sample that cooking, relaxed in the knowledge you don’t have to drive anywhere afterwards. Digest with a stroll to Langford’s pink-towered Saxon church across the fields, then enjoy an early night. Check availability at booking.com Barnsley House, Barnsley From £309 per night, check availability on booking.com Once the home of renowned garden designer Rosemary Verey, the gardens of this luxury hotel remain a highlight. Produce picked by the chefs take pride of place in dishes such as tangy Barnsley House pickled beetroot, creamy goat’s cheese curd and candied hazelnuts. Amid such ultra-local provenance it’s easy to be caught off-guard when you discover that head chef, Francesco Volgo, is Italian and that the house speciality is vincisgrassi, a rich mushroom and truffle oil lasagne. Wandering up to bed after dinner there were two surprises in store: a packet of Little Gem lettuce seeds on the pillow instead of chocolate and, in the fridge, a handful of fresh mint for tea – reminders that outside the window was a fruitful English country garden. Check availability on booking.com The Wild Rabbit, Kingham Check rates and availability at thewildrabbit.co.uk In the heart of the Cotswolds on the Daylesford estate, The Wild Rabbit is a modern British inn serving seasonal, hyper-local food and offering 12 bedrooms (all, like the inn itself, named after creatures found in the English countryside). There are also two cosy cottages just a short walk away and, as of late 2018, three more opposite the inn. While it attracts an out-of-town crowd, at its heart The Wild Rabbit is a country pub, albeit one with Hugo Guinness block prints on the walls and tea lights flickering on farmhouse-style tables. It acts as a kind of sociable living room for the locals (the notice board was calling out for village bakers on our visit), with squidgy leather sofas taken up by blush-faced walkers escaping the cold, shaggy dogs lounging in front of the crackling fire and families wrapping their hands around mugs of hot chocolate and hot buttered rum. Choose between 12 calm, airy bedrooms above the pub, or, for larger groups, take your pick of the cottages, scattered in the surrounding village of Kingham. All showcase Daylesford’s signature pared-backed country style (think exposed beams, sash windows, duck-egg blue stable doors and lots of muted shades of cream, taupe and stone) but peppered with luxuries; if you’re taken with the decor you can buy everything from the egg cups, chopping boards, throws and toiletries at the Daylesford shop in Kingham (and online, here). Check rates and availability at thewildrabbit.co.uk No 131, Cheltenham From £120 per night, check availability on booking.com Stay in the Cotswold oblong’s northern corner at No 131 in Cheltenham. An elegant Grade-II Georgian hotel with a restaurant and handful of quirky rooms (ours had a free-standing tin bath and a knitted cosy on the teapot), it’s part of the Cotswolds-based Lucky Onion group, a clutch of restaurants, hotels, pubs and b&bs owned by Julian Dunkerton. Much of the restaurant’s produce is sourced from local farmers and producers (order eggs for breakfast and they’ll have come from Cackleberry Farm in Burford). Our lunch of Wiltshire lamb fillet with merguez sausage, caponata and tzatziki, fregola primavera (a vibrant spring green) and beets was a riot of colour and flavour. Check availability on booking.com The Painswick, Painswick From £171 per night, check availability at booking.com With affordable room rates and a playful aesthetic (note the neon sign in the reception area), this is designed as a younger, more affordable addition to the Calcot Collection’s properties (and, possibly, a Cotswolds riposte to The Pig hotels). Bedrooms are decorated in muted natural shades, lounges come with open fires and mountains of cushions, a lawn is perfect for sprawling on sunny days, there are two treatment rooms for facials or massages and, in the hallway, scrolls of printed walking routes and a stack of help-yourself wellies invite guests to tramp out into the neighbouring Slad Valley (of Laurie Lee fame). Check availability at booking.com The Churchill Arms, Paxford From £100 per night, check availability at booking.com Set the SatNav and, whichever way you approach The Churchill Arms in Paxford, you’ll travel along winding roads, lined with thatched cottages, through sleepy Cotswold villages. Your destination is equally quaint – a honey-hued pub dating back to the 17th century but re-opened after a sympathetic refurbishment earlier this year. You’re made to feel at home as soon as you step through the door of this family-friendly hostelry. Stand with the traditional inglenook fireplace on your right and choose from the bar, on your left, or a cosy dining room on your right (reached across a flagstone floor). The pub’s owner and head chef, Nick Deverell-Smith, is a local boy and grew up eating here with his family. But while he is clearly passionate about this pub, Deverell-Smith also brings the kind of depth to his cooking that can only be won through stints in Michelin-starred kitchens. Book into one of the pubs two, simply furnished, bedrooms and you’ll find walls painted in muted, chalky colours, original beams, hardwood floors and soft, white cotton sheets. Sit and take in the view over rolling fields from the cushioned window seats or relax in the bath after a long walk. Check availability at booking.com Minster Mill, Minster Lovell From £150 per night, check availability at booking.com Set amidst 65 acres of leafy grounds on the banks of the River Windrush (which powers most of the estate via an on-site hydropower turbine), Minster Mill offers a genteel but slick sprawl of honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings to hole up in. Its sister property, the Old Swan country pub with rooms, is just around the corner if you fancy a smidge less formality and a hint more tradition. Light-filled rooms are generously sized and decorated in tasteful neutrals. Scandi-esque touches include pastel-hued wool blankets on the beds and Danish-style loungers. Find L’Occitane toiletries in the plushly modern bathrooms, Cotswolds-made lager, chocolate and crisps in the mini bar, and a room service menu that ranges from Oxford rarebit with brown sauce to rhubarb trifle. MasterChef: The Professionals 2017 semi-finalist Tom Moody is behind the pass at the hotel’s restaurant, which serves polished seasonal plates using produce from the hotel’s vegetable garden. A must-order is the butter-soft veal sweetbreads dressed in beef fat (all the meat and fish is British), with velvety caramelised cauliflower purée and crunchy walnuts. Aged loin of Cotswold lamb, blushing pink, spiked with salty hits of anchovy and feta, is another winner. Pre- and post-dinner tipples, from crisp fino sherry to champagne and classic cocktails, can be found at the hotel’s chic gold-accented Mill Bar. There are also champagne and Cotswold cream teas to try. Check availability at booking.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
Cuddle up in a cosy British cabin, from off the grid glampsites in Cornwall to grass-roof topped 'dens' in Wales and rustic hideaways in the West Country
Want to stay in a log cabin in the woods? Cabin stays have become more and more popular, thanks to the scandi "hygge" trend and our lust for cosy campfire vibes. We've found some of the best cabin breaks in the UK, including self catering accommodation in forests to unique holidays in the countryside. For more self-catering inspiration, find out the best unique UK holiday cottages for foodies. If you're planning a summer holiday, check out our UK summer travel ideas. UK cabin holidays for food lovers Glebe House, East Devon – relaxing cabins in the woods Check rates and availability at glebehousedevon.co.uk Situated just off the south-west coastal path in East Devon, Glebe House is a quintessential rest stop to hang up your walking boots and retreat from the world. Slung within the rolling hills of the Coly Valley the hotel is comprised of seven bedrooms in the main house and two new cabins aptly named The Crow’s Nest due to the large rookery in the trees above them. Built using larch and cedar, the cabins’ exteriors are thoughtfully crafted to blend into the natural surroundings, while playful interiors juxtapose against the verdant greens of the woodland. There is a keen desire to showcase the best of local craftmanship with the cabins brimming with home-thrown ceramics, paintings and textiles sourced from Devonshire artists. Each cabin is adorned with an outdoor sunken bath encouraging guests to slip in and switch off through the sway of the woodland canopy. Guests can also book a private outdoor sauna to elevate relaxation even further. Much like the grounds, the on-site restaurant has an undeniable charm, awarded a Michelin Green Star through its thoughtful farm to table menu that head chef David Knapman has curated to reflect the seasons bounty. Sustainability shapes the culinary delights and the weekly menu is intuitively led by what is growing within the kitchen garden. The team can often be found pickling, preserving and finding new ways to minimise waste in the kitchen – including using left-over whey from the vacchino cheese making process to spin into new dishes. Check rates and availability at glebehousedevon.co.uk Elmley National Nature Reserve – shepherd's huts and cabins on the Isle of Sheppey Check rates and availability at mrandmrssmith.com or elmleynaturereserve.co.uk Waking up in a hut in Elmley Nature Reserve on the remote Isle of Sheppey is magical. Without getting out of bed you can watch magnificent birds glide past the window and hares hop around the fields, all while sipping your coffee. Preserving nature is at the heart of Elmley, while catering to little luxuries. Accommodation ranges from plushly furnished rooms in the 17th-century farmhouse (available for private hire) to remote vintage-styled huts with wood burners and custom built cabins with fully glazed front walls so you can drool over sunsets while snuggled under Romney Marsh wool throws. Some have separate kitchenettes and lounge areas, and boast outdoor tubs for soaking in while listening to the wildlife. Come evening, toast complimentary marshmallows over your own firepit. Breakfast and dinner, both delivered to your room in a hamper, are hearty and filling – think chicken curry with baked potatoes created with Wasted Kitchen using surplus ingredients, and thick-cut bacon sarnies – perfect fuel for long walks to spot owls. Pass the time with books and board games, or pop to the honesty bar for a quick tipple by the fire. In the summer, pizzas and picnics are available to enjoy around the reserve. Check rates and availability at mrandmrssmith.com or elmleynaturereserve.co.uk The Craftsman's Cabin – hand-crafted cabin in the Somerset countryside Check rates and availability at craftsmanscabin.co.uk Set on the fringes of the Somerset Levels and Moors in the heart of ciderland, this hand-built cabin possesses all the features for you to fully decompress, with an outdoor cast iron bath, wood-burning stove and fire pit with logs and kindling. Creativity and craftsmanship lie at the core of the company’s ethos. The cabin, nestled within its own patch of meadow, is stocked full of practical, beautiful things crafted by makers, artists and friends from the local area. The kitchen comes equipped with all the essentials, including sourdough from local favourite bakery The Bridge in Langport. Doors open directly out onto the wraparound veranda, the perfect spot to breathe in the crisp air and soak up views that stretch across the moors. Light the fire pit and cook supper under the moon then plunge into the roll-top tub as you catch the swallows or the stars. For all things foodie, learn about the rich local history of cider-making on a guided tour at Burrow Hill cider farm and distillery, or book dinner at critically acclaimed Holm for A1 West Country produce (Alford Farm pork, Exmoor venison). If feeling inspired by the artistic surroundings, sign up to one of the many courses that run nearby from stone-carving with Tom Clark or a pottery taster day at Barrington Pottery. Check rates and availability at craftsmanscabin.co.uk Tinwood Vineyard Lodge – vineyard cabins in West Sussex Check rates and availability at booking.com or tinwoodestate.com Once home to a sprawling estate of iceberg lettuces, Tinwood is now known for some of the best award-winning sparkling wines that Sussex has to offer. Switching out lettuce for vines came in 2007 when owners Jody and Art Tukker took the helm of the family business and noticed the terroir of the farm was akin to parts of Champagne and Burgundy in France. Perfectly situated just three miles from the sea, the flint and chalky grounds have led to careful cultivation of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, bottled up into a range of refreshingly crisp sparkling wines. Part of the charm of Tinwood is how visible Jody and Art still are in the day to day running of the estate. It’s not unusual for Jody to personally lead you through a vineyard and wine tasting tour with family dogs, Bubbles and Fizz, zipping through the vines to say hello. If you are keen to make a weekend of it in the South Downs, Tinwood invites guests to stay on the estate in one of its eight lodges, all of which are unique in design and offer supreme comfort and panoramic views across the vineyard. The cabins are crisp and contemporary in design – think wooden floors, white walls, big sliding patio doors. They’re also comprehensively kitted out, with king-size beds, barrel saunas and, naturally, a fully stocked wine fridge. Bikes are available for guests to use at their disposal to explore the grounds or further afield into the beautiful countryside. After a day of walking or wine tasting, relax in the wine barrel sauna or sink into a hot tub in your room. Breakfast hampers are delivered to your doorstep each morning so you can enjoy a tasty continental breakfast without having to leave the lodge. Check rates and availability at booking.com or tinwoodestate.com Tiptoe Retreat – pared-back tree cabins in North Northumberland Check rates and availability at tiptoeretreat.co.uk Bask in the warmth of a crackling wood-burning stove at one of two Scandi-minimalist tree cabins. Nestled in the heart of North Northumberland's landscape on the banks of River Till – between the coastline and rolling hills of the national park – cabins are equipped with all the features for a countryside reset, including a super king-size bed and expansive windows that bring the river and pine atmosphere in. Robes, Laura Thomas Co toiletries and a well-kitted kitchen with a Nespresso Pixie all add to the cabin's cosy, luxury charm. Ultimate relaxation is the name of the game here – soak up the scenic beauty under the open sky by plunging into your outdoor jacuzzi bath or unwind in the mirrored woodland sauna following an in-cabin spa treatment or Pilates lesson. An alternative way to switch off is with a mindful kitchen project: choose between a half-day bread workshop or 90-minute soda bread workshop with baker and author Pauline Beaumont. However you choose to spend your time, you'll be left feeling refreshed yet rested. Check rates and availability at tiptoeretreat.co.uk Wild Escapes – luxury treehouses in Hampshire Check rates and availability at wildescapes.com Nestled in the forest on sprawling Fullerton Farm, four treehouses have been crafted out of local materials to provide a luxuriously wild stay for those wanting to switch off. The structures were designed to minimise impact on the surrounding ecosystem, and rewilding is encouraged, so birds, deer and badgers are abundant. Each of the treehouses is unique – The Perigord is Scandi-chic, The Damselfly more modern-minimalist, The Fallow decked out in earthy tones and The Poppy the most rustic, complete with its own firepit. All have a few things in common: vineyard vistas, wood-burning stoves, snazzy glass showers and terraces with bathtubs that come with sycamore wood champagne flute rests for the complimentary Black Chalk English sparkling wine. Breakfast hampers are curated from Hampshire producers, including small-batch Moon Roast coffee, Nicky’s Kitchen sourdough and Fluffetts Farm free-range eggs. Take a private tour of neighbouring Black Chalk vineyard followed by a Treehouse Tasting with a view of the vines on which the grapes have been grown. On Friday nights, taste street food from local legends such as Son of a Bun fried chicken, Earth to Oven flatbreads and Little Fish sushi. The Mayfly pub is a short walk away for a local ale on the riverside terrace while watching trout jump from the crystal-clear water. wildescapes.com Check rates and availability at wildescapes.com The Treehouses at Lanrick — luxury treehouses in Perthshire Check rates and availability at lanricktreehouses.co.uk or kiphideaways.com Unwind in one of five eco-friendly luxury treehouses on the banks of the River Teith. Named after five woodland birds which you may well spot during your stay, each hideaway flaunts its own character – think special hand-crafted tables, upcycled furniture and luxury fabrics. All treehouses, however, have a few features in common; log-burning stoves, tree-top terraces and outside baths. Treehouses are self-catered and well stocked with cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery. Private banquets in the trees are also possible with the added option of pre-ordered food packages from the local farm shop, from luxury barbecues and picnic hampers to a full-blown breakfast feast. Though perfect for those seeking a peaceful, off-grid location, short foodie trips are also possible – Deanston Distillery is within ten miles, while the world-renowned Gleneagles is also a short distance away. Check rates and availability at lanricktreehouses.co.uk or kiphideaways.com Stars & Vines, Herefordshire – elegant cabins in Broadfield Court Vineyard Estate Check rates and availability at starsandvinesluxurylodges.co.uk For sweeping, uninterrupted views of rolling Herefordshire countryside, Stars & Vines is uniquely placed. Two elegantly furnished modern cabins are situated at one of the highest points of the Broadfield Court Vineyard Estate which produces a small-batch range of whites – including a crisp and very quaffable take on champagne – plus a zippy rosé. Take in those views while soaking in your outdoor hot tub, or feel free to strike out into 1000 acres of the surrounding farmland where the River Lugg weaves through towering woods, and you might happen upon a small lake by one of the cornfields. It’s a family-run estate with a welcoming feel. Esme, who operates this part of the business, will gladly lay out a picnic of locally sourced goodies to enjoy on the walk, including a bottle of that rosé if you opt for it. Hosted wine-tastings are also available to book in advance (£95, including the opened wines) and, on a clear evening, you can ask for a telescope and kick back by the firepit – with marshmallows and other gourmet treats supplied – to marvel at the stars that give this place its name (£125). The cabins are self-catered, but you can request a hamper for a continental or cooked breakfast, again stocked with fresh, local produce. Check rates and availability at starsandvinesluxurylodges.co.uk WildLuing, Isle of Luing, Scotland – remote foodie bolthole Check rates and availability at booking.com or wildluing.com WildLuing is situated on the Isle of Luing – a remote, wild isle accessed via tiny car ferry from the island of Seil. Owners Jack and Emily Cadzow have built eight luxe self-catering cabins or ‘Wild Suites’ perched on the coast. These palatial pods overlook Torsa Bay with 'The Observatory' lodge situated at their centre, where guests gather to relax and enjoy cook ups by in-house chef Kitty. Locally sourced food may include fresh-from-the-Atlantic langoustines and chargrilled squat lobster or perfectly roasted beef with creamy horseradish straight from the farm, served with salads of foraged greens and edible flowers from nearby hedgerows. Each Wild Suite has a private terrace and fire pit for barbecues. Inside the (dog-friendly) cabins, fridges are stocked with freshly baked bread, farm eggs, fruit compote, yogurt, home-made granola and juice for breakfast. The island is a place to switch off and reconnect with nature, meaning there’s no need for a TV: soak up breathtaking sea views from your comfy king-sized bed or freestanding rolltop bathtub instead. The brave at heart might even take a dip in ‘the briney’ or paddle board in the shallows off the slate beach, where otters paddle belly up, though with bracing Atlantic temperatures, that’s best on summer days. Apart from a few other guests and their dogs (also welcome), wild neighbours include curious seals, myriad sea birds, wild deer and the amiable Luing breed of cow ambling along the shoreline. Check rates and availability at booking.com or wildluing.com By Renate Ruge Inshriach, Cairngorms – log cabins in the woods in Cairngorms National Park Check rates and availability at inshriachhouse.com This 200-acre mini Highland estate in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park is home to a rustic gin distillery where owner Walter Micklethwait concocts small-batch Speyside gins in an award-winning shed. The estate’s elegant country house is perfect for a large family gathering (sleeping up to 18, with or without a chef) but, for a back-to-nature experience, there’s a cluster of quirky glamping options peppered throughout the tangled woodland. The long-standing yurt has been replaced by a log cabin which Walter and his family made themselves during lockdown. It’s as popular for holidays as it is with TV and photoshoots. The quaint Swedish-style shepherd’s hut is old-school romantic and cradled by juniper bushes (the key ingredient in gin; most of the botanicals are foraged from the estate) but for those who want something a little more contemporary, there’s the bothy, a little modernist cabin nestled in the birch woods above the Spey. Another cabin is in the pipeline, this one made from wind-blown oak trees. We are promised that this will top them all. Check rates and availability at inshriachhouse.com The Yan at Broadrayne – eco pods in the Lake District Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk Nestled in the heart of the Lakes near Grasmere – home of the world-famous gingerbread – you’ll find The Yan. This converted 17th-century sheep farm is situated deep in the Cumbrian landscape, making the surroundings truly epic and a haven for keen walkers. There’s a bistro, bedrooms, cottages and glamping pods onsite. The pods are decked in natural materials and have a minimalist, contemporary feel, with comfy areas to lounge and dine, plus a wood-burning fireplace for instant cosiness. Every consideration has been made to ensure a comfortable stay for self-caterers, plus sustainability is front and centre, including eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries. Hearty, seasonal food from the bistro can be ordered to the pods. After a long day hiking, dishes like shepherd’s pie with braised Grasmere Herdwick lamb and cheesy mash, followed by sticky toffee pudding, will fit the bill. The bistro also serves breakfast – expect more of the same warm hospitality, seasonal ingredients and inventive spins on classic dishes. The county’s finest – the mighty Cumberland sausage – takes centre-stage in a full breakfast that’s sure to fuel a busy day exploring the Lakes. Check rates and availability at theyan.co.uk The Fish, Broadway – shepherd's huts in Worcestershire Check rates and availability at booking.com or thefishhotel.co.uk The 400-acre Farncombe estate is home to a group of luxury boutique hotels, Dormy House, Foxhill Manor and The Fish, all with sweeping views of the Vale of Evesham. Book a Hideaway Hut in the latter for the ultimate glamping experience, where two spacious shepherd’s huts are adjoined in individual secluded woodland plots. Raid the complimentary mini bar for snacks, hand-painted chocolates and Hoogly tea to enjoy in your private outdoor hot tub or snuggled up by the wood burner. Soak in the rolltop bath before plunging into bed and peeking up through the bespoke skylight to watch the trees swish in the breeze. Book the Boaty McBoatface hut to bob around on your own private lake for the ultimate romantic nature weekend. Clamber up the woodland walk to The Lodge, a succession of Scandi-chic rooms where you can enjoy springy pizzas splodged with pools of 'nduja, lavish tipsy tea or Cotswolds-brewed craft beer by contemporary chimney fires. Dinner at The Hook focusses on seafood, including plump pil-pil prawns mopped up with deep-fried bread, delicate sea bream fillet on a citrussy tartare sauce, and a crisp, chunky cod kiev served with seaweed salt fries and umami-rich miso mayo. Continental breakfast can be selected from the table of freshly baked pastries, compotes and juices before tucking into the estate’s cooked-to-order full English. Or request a breakfast hamper for a leisurely start to the day in the secluded cosiness of your hut. Check rates and availability at booking.com or thefishhotel.co.uk Artist Residence – garden shepherd's hut in Oxfordshire Check rates and availability at booking.com At the bottom of Artist Residence Oxfordshire’s abundant kitchen garden, a wooden trailer nestles in the shade of a gigantic fir tree. Inside, quirky fabrics embellish wood-panelled walls and floors, including foliage-patterned curtains, a burnt-orange velvet window seat, and hand-woven cushions in muted tones. Though compact, the tiny space is kitted out with the venue’s signature luxuries – Bramley toiletries to enjoy in the rainfall shower, a flat-screen TV to watch from the double bed, and individual pouches of infusions from Joe’s Tea Co to sip in front of the diddy, tile-backed log burner. Potter through the herbs and vegetables growing in the quintessential allotment to dinner in the 16th-century Cotswold-stone farmhouse. Choose between the cosy bar area with a classic pub menu or the more sophisticated dining room, with its up-cycled crystal decanter lamp shades, to enjoy the likes of lamb loin and crisp courgette flower bhajis, followed by peaches with elderflower cream and delicate puff pastry beneath. Check rates and availability at booking.com West Cawthorne – luxury barn conversion in North Yorkshire Check rates and availability at northyorkshirehideaways.com West Cawthorne is a lush 26-acre private estate that has two stylishly converted barns and chic A-frame cabins overlooking the rolling hills of the Vale of Pickering. It’s also conveniently situated right in the middle of Yorkshire’s food scene. As you drive into the farm to be greeted personally by owners Rich and Sophie, the place has a French feel, with its bleached stone buildings and shaded pétanque area. The barns, which sleep four or six, are interior magazine worthy, decorated in neutral colours with exposed beams, poured concrete details and photogenic décor, while still feeling warm and cosy. We headed straight into the wood-fired hot tub. Accomodation is self-catered and the kitchen in our barn was stocked to a fine detail. Guests get a welcome pack, including macarons from Florian Poirot and Bluebird Bakery sourdough – both at Talbot Yard in nearby foodie Malton – plus Yorkshire crisps, apple juice, butter and eggs. Guests can order a Made in Oldstead recipe box by local food hero Tommy Banks. Our kit was simply named ‘duck, lamb, raspberry’ and was three vibrant, elegant courses that were deceptively intuitive to cook. Whether you want to lounge at your cabin or barn, taking in deep lungfuls of crisp Yorkshire air from your deck, or use it as a base to explore places like Malton, Pickering, Helmsley, York and Sandsend, this tranquil haven is a perfect spot to go off grid (while also enjoying excellent wifi coverage). Check rates and availability at northyorkshirehideaways.com Kudhva – contemporary treehouse cabins in Cornwall Check rates and availability at booking.com or kudhva.com An off-grid glampsite near Trebarwith Strand, Kudhva means ‘hideout’ in Cornish and this former quarry site truly immerses you in the natural world. Among willow groves and dense woodland are tree tents and four kudhva – compact, futuristic cabins on stilts designed by Ben Huggins of New British Design. Each cabin has its own firepit, or you can cook in a shared kitchen. At nearby Hilltop Farm Shop stock up on locally made wines, beers and gins, Davidstow cheddar, clotted cream and sourdough (check out our guide to sourdough here). Slightly further afield, Boscastle Farm Shop sells homemade quiches, pies and cakes, and has a butchery selling meat from its Ruby Red cattle. If you prefer a less DIY approach, there are regular breakfast pop ups, guest chef residencies and long-tables feasts from the likes of Woodfired Canteen. Check rates and availability at booking.com or kudhva.com Inverlona – luxury bothies in Loch Nell Check rates and availability at inverlonan.com Designed for visitors looking to disconnect from the day-to-day Inverlonan’s “rough luxe” bothies are only accessible by boat, on foot or (the slightly less cool option) by buggy. Overlooking Loch Nell, on the west coast of Scotland near Oban, the bothies are surrounded by ancient oaks, inky waters and wild moorland. Each comes with an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven and open fire pit, plus a breakfast hamper stuffed with the likes of Isle of Seil eggs and Inverlonan Farm jams. For an additional charge, everything from a pizza kit to ingredients for a seafood BBQ (think whole bream, langoustines and rustic rolls) can be delivered to the door. Check rates and availability at inverlonan.com Log Jam – hand-crafted log cabins in Cornwall Check rates and availability at littlemenherion.com A stylish log cabin built with locally-sourced wood and lit by old miners’ lamps, to reach Log Jam involves locating Little Menherion smallholding, near Redruth in Cornwall, then bumping over half a mile of unmade track and walking a little way along a lane bordered by fern-thick hedges. Perched at its handmade breakfast bar, guests can listen to woodland birds chirrup outside while warming up saffron buns, or apple and cinnamon Cornish pasties (bought from Portreath Bakery in nearby Lanner), in the wood-burning stove. Check rates and availability at littlemenherion.com The Blue Cabin by the Sea – secluded coastal cabin in Berwickshire Check rates and availability at bluecabinbythesea.co.uk The first task here is finding the place: drive an hour south of Edinburgh (check out the best places to eat and drink in Edinburgh to stop off at en route), park up, chuck your bags in a wheelbarrow and walk, via a tunnel, to reach the beach. There sits this cute cornflower-blue bolthole, tucked into the grasses above a tiny traditional harbour – which the cabin raises funds to maintain. It’s the sort of place to spend days rockpooling, shore-strolling, bird-spotting and, if you dare, wild swimming. Owned by an architect-sculptor couple, the cabin itself is small but thoughtfully designed and creatively decorated, from the vivid-green boxed beds and Orkney chairs to the iron-seaweed cupboard handles and extensive library. Outside a small veranda looks over the sea, the ideal vantage for watching the fishermen who go out every weekday, and who’ll sell you crabs and lobsters direct from their pots for a couldn’t-be-fresher seafood barbecue. Check rates and availability at bluecabinbythesea.co.uk Tinhouse – contemporary cabins on Isle of Skye Check rates and availability at tinhouse.net This lonesome shack does what it says on the, er, tin, but in the most stylish fashion. Winner of many architectural awards, its simple tin-clad exterior hides a cool, modernist inside, with white wooden walls, cement floors and, best of all, generous windows so the wild Skye coast seeps in. It’s well placed for windswept walks, dolphin-spotting boat trips and visits to ruined castles. It’s also well placed for foodies. Two of Scotland’s best restaurants are close by: Michelin-starred Loch Bay is less than 20 miles away while The Three Chimneys, voted number 28 in the Top 100 UK Restaurants Outside London in 2018, is only five. If you’d prefer to eat in, make the short walk downhill from the Tinhouse to Meanish Pier, where fresh seafood can be bought direct from the fishermen. Check rates and availability at tinhouse.net For some of the best places to eat and drink on Isle of Skye, click here One Cat Farm – grass-roofed cabins in Ceredigion Check rates and availability at onecatfarm.com Just south of Aberaeron, One Cat Farm is home to four cosy cabins. These heated, grass-roofed ‘dens’ blend seamlessly into a buttercup-dotted field. Inside, comfy double beds are topped with woollen blankets, and hammocks swing outside in the sun-dappled shade. Showers and toilets sit at the top of the field, as does a communal kitchen, home to a mini honesty shop offering marshmallows, Fentimans ginger beer and bars of NOMNOM chocolate. Stop off at Watson and Pratt farm shop, in Lampeter, to stock up on tubs of creamy Neal’s Yard Dairy yogurt, and country loaves and croissants from Lampeter Bakehouse (and at Aberaeron for scoops of honey ice cream from Hive). In the evening, watch the sunset from an outdoor wood-fired bath, then sit by the fire pit with mugs of fresh mint tea as the sea mist gently engulfs each den in a mystical haze. Check rates and availability at onecatfarm.com Babington House – luxury lodges in Somerset Check rates and availability at mrandmrssmith.com or babingtonhouse.co.uk If you’re seeking a rustic hideaway but don’t want to rough it, The Cabin at Babington House is a neat solution. A two-bedroom wooden lodge (adults only), set overlooking a lake, it may have a wood-burning stove and a kitchen that’s a lotta Little House on the Prairie but, beneath the country styling, it’s every bit as pampering as the hotel’s other rooms. There are two bathrooms, a kitchen supplied with grocery basics and the best hotel drinks tray we’ve seen (including craft mixers). Guests can also wallow in the hotel’s spa, outdoor and indoor pools, fill up on (free) afternoon tea pastries, or book in for dinner in the restaurant – think charcoal-grilled meats, or Cornish plaice served with sweet little shrimp and a buttery lemon sauce. Check rates and availability at mrandmrssmith.com or babingtonhouse.co.uk Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages – woodland cabins in Kincardineshire Check rates and availability at glendyecabinsandcottages.com Glen Dye Cabins and Cottages sits within a 30,000-acre estate in Kincardineshire. Choose from Steading Cottage, with its own woodland hot tub, North Lodge, with a romantic riverside summerhouse, or The Sawmill, with its converted Airstream trailer and private outdoor shower. With interiors designed by the estate’s owners, Pedlars founders Charlie and Caroline Gladstone, and Big Green Eggs to cook on, this is seriously decadent glamping. For eating out there’s Spider on a Bicycle café in Aboyne or Buchanan Bistro in Banchory. Check rates and availability at glendyecabinsandcottages.com More hotel guides Best health and wellness retreats Best Scottish hotels Best hotels in London Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels Words by Clare Hargreaves, Alex Crossley, Sarah Baxter, Ellie Edwards, Rhiannon Batten, Charlotte Morgan and Hannah Guinness Images by Clare Hargreaves, Alex Crossley, George Fielding, Rhiannon Batten
Best collagen supplements UK, tried and tested by experts 2026
Our health experts have tried and tested marine, vegan and bovine collagen in the form of gels and powders to help you find the best option
Collagen is a natural protein found in the body and plays a vital role in the health of skin, bones, muscles and connective tissue. Making sure your diet provides enough protein is key to supplying the amino acids your body needs to produce collagen. Adding a collagen supplement may also support skin health and elasticity, and could offer benefits for joint comfort and maintaining bone strength. As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, which is why some people turn to supplements. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to know which type is best, and whether they’re worth the cost. We’ve tested collagen supplements for flavour and ingredient quality, so you can make an informed choice. Keep reading for our favourite picks of the best marine, vegan and bovine collagen supplements. Looking for more healthy inspiration? Read our guides to the 10 foods to fight seasonal allergies and what is the dopamine diet. Jump to: Best marine collagen Best vegan collagen Best bovine collagen What is collagen? Types of collagen: marine, vegan and bovine What is the best form of collagen to take? How do collagen supplements work? Best collagen supplements UK at a glance Best marine collagen Best overall marine collagen: Absolute Collagen Marine Liquid Collagen Supplement, £33.99 Best marine collagen for absorption: Elle Sera Liposomal Tripeptide Collagen, £69.95 Best flavoured marine collagen: Hunter & Gather Rise & Glow Collagen Daily Beauty Tonic, £32 Best marine collagen for adding to smoothies: JS Health Vitality X + collagen, £39.99 Best marine collagen for recovery: Thorne Collagen Fit, £45.49 Best marine collagen shots: Pure Gold Collagen 10 Day Programme, £39 Best ready-to-drink marine collagen: New Nordic Collagen Shot Sachets, £30.99 Best marine collagen for skin: Rejuvenated collagen shots, £52.50 Best marine collagen sachets: Revive Collagen hydrolysed marine collagen drink, £27.74 Best marine collagen powder: Sixways raspberry flavour marine collagen, £34.39 Best convenient marine collagen sachets: OQO Collagen Powder, £29.99 Best vegan collagen Best vegan collagen: Shreddy Superskin, £38 Best flavour vegan collagen: Feel strawberry peach vegan collagen powder, £56.43 Best vegan collagen builder: Vivo Life Collagen Builder, £44.99 Best bovine collagen Best bovine collagen: Ancient + Brave cacao and collagen, £28 Best blended collagen Best blended collagen: NaturesPlus Collagen Peptides, £24.49 Best collagen supplements to buy in UK 2026 Best marine collagen Absolute Collagen Marine Liquid Collagen Supplement Available from Absolute Collagen (£33.99), Amazon (£33.99) Star rating: 5/5 Despite being a high‑strength marine collagen drink, our testers found that Absolute Collagen’s flavoured sachets were mild and easy to drink rather than being fishy in flavour. We tried the mango and pineapple flavour, which mixed well into water and smoothies. Each sachet delivers 8,000 mg of hydrolysed marine collagen peptides plus 60 mg of vitamin C – a combination designed to support normal collagen formation for skin, hair and nails. Our testers reported that daily use felt like a simple addition to a routine, and noticed a difference to skin hydration and condition after several weeks, along with shinier nails, surprisingly. Available from: Absolute Collagen (£33.99) Amazon (£33.99) Elle Sera Liposomal Tripeptide Collagen Available from Elle Sera (£69.95) Best marine collagen for absorption Star rating: 5/5 Elle Sera’s Liposomal Tripeptide Collagen comes in sealed liquid ampoules that are easy to sip daily, and one of our testers said the taste was sweet and pleasant (similar to a mild berry or candy flavour) compared with other collagen supplements. The formula uses liposomal delivery with tripeptide collagen, which means the collagen is broken into small, easily absorbed pieces and enclosed in liposomes to improve uptake. It also has added vitamins A, C and E, biotin, zinc and lycopene to help with absorption and support skin elasticity, hydration and resilience. Our testers enjoyed the smooth texture and convenient, no‑mess ampoules, and after a few weeks' use, felt their skin was noticeably more radiant. Available from: Elle Sera (£69.95) Hunter & Gather Rise & Glow Collagen Daily Beauty Tonic Available from Ocado (£38), Healf (£32) Best flavoured collagen Star rating: 5/5 Despite having a marine collagen base, this supplement from Hunter & Gather didn't have a hint of fishiness, and was our favourite on test for its fruity flavour. The flavour is so good, it can be taken with water rather than needing to be disguised in fruit juice or a smoothie. The overall taste is sweet yet tangy, with a slight floral undertone thanks to the hibiscus. As well as the 5,000mg of collagen per serving, it also contains vitamin C from the blend of fruit powders, which includes açai, blueberry, blackcurrant and raspberry. This would be a good option if you want to add collagen to your diet but you're worried about the taste. Available from: Healf (£32) Ocado (£38) JS Health Vitality X + collagen Available from JS Health Vitamins (£39.99) Best marine collagen for adding to smoothies Star rating: 5/5 From JS Health Vitality, this collagen supplement makes a light, fruity drink. Even though it's made from wild deep sea cod skin – along with other ingredients – there wasn't any trace of marine flavour when we tested it. Other ingredients include turmeric and blueberry powder, which contributes to the fruitiness. We also noted tropical fruits, which had a nice acidity that balanced the sweetness. We found it tasted best when added to a morning fruit smoothie, which is an easy way to start the day with a collagen hit. Available from: JS Health Vitamins (£39.99) Thorne Collagen Fit Available from Healf (£45.49) Best collagen for recovery Star rating: 4.5/5 Thorne Collagen Fit leans more towards performance than beauty. Each serving delivers 15g of collagen plus added ingredients like nicotinamide riboside and betaine, so it is geared more towards recovery and training support. The powder is completely neutral, making it easy to add to coffee or smoothies without affecting taste. It mixes well overall, though a shaker or frother helps avoid clumps. The formula is very clean and is NSF Certified for Sport, which sets it apart from most collagen powders. This is a more expensive than other options but stands out if you want a higher-quality, performance-focused formula. Available from: Healf (£45.49) Pure Gold Collagen 10 Day Programme Available from Holland & Barrett (£39) Best marine collagen shots Star rating: 4/5 If you want zero effort, this is about as easy as it gets. Each 50ml Gold Collagen shot delivers around 5g of marine collagen plus a full mixture of vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid, so it feels more like a complete supplement than just collagen. The peach flavour is smooth and easy to drink, slightly sweet with a light aftertaste, and there is no prep needed, just grab and go. The trade-off is price and format. At £3.60 per serving it adds up quickly and the glass bottles are less practical for travel. But still handy for a short-term boost or when convenience matters. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£39) New Nordic Collagen Shot Sachets Available from Holland & Barrett (£30.99) Best ready-to-drink marine collagen Star rating: 4/5 These are one of the easiest ways to stay consistent. Each sachet delivers 5g of marine collagen plus vitamin C and biotin, with no mixing, just tear and go. The berry flavour is slightly sweet with a smooth texture, so it feels more like a drink than a supplement. They are ideal for travel or busy days when powders are not practical and the format makes it easy to build into a routine. The trade-off is price and dose. At over £2 per serving, they are expensive and the collagen content is lower than most powders. Available from: Holland & Barrett (£30.99) Rejuvenated collagen shots Available from Rejuvenated (£55) Best marine collagen for skin Star rating: 4/5 As there is a known connection between a healthy gut and good skin, Rejuvenated created a powder which combines hydrolysed marine collagen, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid with a probiotic. Don't worry, there's no taste of fish, in fact it's very subtle in flavour. Available from: Rejuvenated (£55) Revive Collagen hydrolysed marine collagen drink Available from Revive Collagen (£29.27), Sephora (£36.99 for 14) Best marine collagen sachets Star rating: 4/5 Unlike many options on this list, which come in the form of powders, this collagen supplement is a gel, with a similar consistency to an undiluted cordial. In fact, we think adding it to water is the best way to consume it, as the lemony citrus flavour is pleasant. But, you could take it with juice, if you prefer. As well as marine collagen, these gels contain retinol and hydrolysed keratin, which are known to have skin-plumping benefits. You get two weeks' worth in a regular box (14 sachets), but if you sign up to a Revive subscription, you'll get two boxes every 28 days, with free delivery. Available from: Revive Collagen (£29.27) Sephora (£36.99 for 14) Sixways raspberry flavour marine collagen Available from Ocado (£42), Holland & Barrett (£34.39) Best marine collagen powder Star rating: 4/5 This collagen supplement comes in powder form, so it's easy to mix into whatever you fancy. We were hit with sour raspberry, which reminded us of undiluted fruit cordial. Luckily, no fishiness made it through. We like that Sixways gets its marine collagen from sustainably sourced fish in the Atlantic. As well as collagen, this supplement contains vitamins C and A. With 28 servings per pack, it should last a month, but you can purchase a monthly subscription to save money. Available from: Ocado (£42) Holland & Barrett (£34.39) OQO Collagen Powder Sachets Available from Amazon (£29.99) Best convenient marine collagen sachets Star rating: 3.5/5 A handy option if convenience is the main draw. Each sachet delivers 10g of hydrolysed marine collagen, plus vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, hyaluronic acid, glutathione and inulin, so it feels more like a beauty-focused blend than a plain collagen powder. The unflavoured powder is easy to work into coffee, smoothies or water, though it is not completely invisible and can leave a few lumps if not mixed well. The sachets are useful for travel and, at £29.99 for 25 servings, it is not wildly expensive. But you are paying for the single-serve format more than anything especially unique in the formula. Available from: Amazon (£29.99) Best vegan collagen Shreddy Superskin Available from Shreddy (£38) Best vegan collagen Star rating: 5/5 Formulated from a plant-based collagen alternative, this powder performed brilliantly on test. The peach iced tea flavour was sweet and refreshing and would be easy to drink on a daily basis. Like many vegan collagen powders this supplement includes additional nutrients including the daily dose of vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Available from: Shreddy (£38) Feel strawberry peach vegan collagen powder Available from Feel (£56.43) Best flavour vegan collagen Star rating: 4/5 This collagen has a pleasantly sweet, fruity flavour similar to strawberry sherbet, with a tangy acidity. It was one of the best we tried – most testers said they would happily take it every day. It also comes in a pineapple and grapefruit flavour, although we didn't try these. As this is a vegan collagen supplement, it's designed to mimic the amino acids produced by collagen in our bodies. It's combined with other ingredients that help to boost collagen production, like the ancient herb, gotu kola. Available from: Feel (£56.43) Vivo Life Collagen Builder (Chocolate) Available from Vivo Life (£44.99) Best vegan collagen builder Star rating: 4/5 Vivo Life has a different take on collagen. Instead of collagen itself this Collagen Builder provides 25g of protein plus nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, copper, biotin and hyaluronic acid, so it leans more towards a full nutrition blend. The chocolate flavour is rich and slightly sweet, with a smooth, shake-like texture and a mild plant-protein aftertaste. It feels more like a functional protein powder than a typical collagen, with a more complete ingredient profile and strong sustainability credentials. Not a direct swap for collagen but a good option if you want a plant-based, all-in-one approach. Available from: Vivo Life (£44.99) Best bovine collagen Ancient + Brave cacao and collagen Available from Healf (£28), Ancient + Brave (£28) Best bovine collagen Star rating: 5/5 Bovine collagen is a close match to human collagen, which makes it easy to absorb, but it can often come with an unpleasant flavour. That's not the case with this option from Ancient + Brave. The collagen is combined with raw Peruvian cacao, which contains antioxidants and ashwaganda. It's chocolatey, with deep, earthy notes and elements of spice thanks to the cinnamon, baobab and carob. Available from: Ancient + Brave (£28) Healf (£28) Best blended collagen NaturesPlus Collagen Peptides Available from Amazon (£24.95), Healf (£2249) Best blended collagen Star rating: 4.5/5 If you're looking for an unflavoured collaged to add to cold or warm drinks this could be a great option as we found it has a crisp, clean flavour without any unpleasant aftertaste. Rather than using a single source of collagen like most supplements in this list, this one uses a combination of sources: grass-fed beef, wild-caught cod, free-range chicken and eggshell membrane. It's worth noting that we found that even after mixing with water the powder was a little lumpy, so this may benefit from being blended in a high powdered blender, or added to smoothies. Available from: Amazon (£24.95) Healf (£22.49) What is collagen? Collagen is a protein that is found in lots of different areas of the body, including connective tissues, organs, blood and bones. It is involved in essential processes, including protecting the nervous system, helping wounds heal and making blood clot. As we age, less collagen is produced in the body, which can lead to less elasticity in connective tissues and skin. Types of collagen: marine, vegan and bovine Collagen supplements generally come from three sources: marine, vegan and bovine. Marine and bovine are the easiest for us to absorb as they are the closest match to human collagen; however, vegan options have been developed to work as well. These don't contain standard collagen, but will more likely contain other products, like vitamin C, to help the body produce more collagen. Marine collagen, as the name might suggest, is made from fish, while bovine collagen is made from cows. The later is the closest to our own collagen, while marine collagen contains smaller molecules, which may help us absorb them more quickly. What is the best form of collagen to take? Collagen supplements come in several different forms. You can find collagen available as powder, gel, capsules and even creamer to add to coffee. There's no real best form to take, except what might work best for you. How do collagen supplements work? Collagen supplements mostly contain collagen from external sources. They might be described as 'collagen peptides' or 'hydrolysed collagen', which essentially means the same thing – the collagen has been broken down into smaller peptide particles that are easier for the human body to absorb. Our friends at Good Food have a brilliant guide on do collagen supplements work, which has lots more information. 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Looking for places to visit in France? Check out our top French food trips and take a spin around olive groves Uzes, relax in luxury in Provence or sample patisserie in Paris
Looking for the best food trips to take in France? Check out our guide to the best places across the country to eat and drink, from hearty ski food in the French Alps to undiscovered corners of Provence. For more French inspiration, check out our picks of the best hotels in Paris and foodie guide to Lyon, then hop across the border with our guide to the best Spanish food trips or further afield with our best Morocco food trips. 17 best French food trips Uzes For chocolat-style villages Pungent truffles and gummy bears? Just two of the more unusual ingredients on the menu in Uzès, one of those achingly pretty French towns whose Chocolat-style looks make it seem like a Hollywood film set. Indeed, its plane-tree-pricked Place aux Herbes once starred in the Gérard Depardieu movie Cyrano de Bergerac. Uzès is surrounded by truffle plantations and hosts a truffle festival every January, while confectionary giant Haribo opened Le Musée du Bonbon here in 1996. The company is synonymous with the gummy bears invented by German founder Hans Riegel in 1920. Your ticket comes with a bag of sweets to suck as you wander from room to room learning about the history of sugar and the candy-making process before ‘nosing’ some of the ingredients. Pressing a button releases a puff of vanilla, cacao or liquorice into the air. This less well-known corner of France is just 40 minutes from Avignon, where you can jump off the Eurostar as it hurtles on to Marseilles. Once here the pace is far more leisurely. Uzès has its share of sites to tick off including the cathedral of Saint Théodorit with its ornate Romanesque bell tower, the Fenestrelle, the Duke’s palace and the Medieval Garden in the grounds of a ruined château which has around 450 plants, many medicinal, and is a lovely spot to unwind with a liquorice tisane after clambering up the tower’s 100 steps for a sweeping panorama. Be sure to visit Uzès on a Wednesday or Saturday when you’ll find a food market in full swing. And don't miss a visit to Boulangerie Fougasse d’Uzès where you can buy fougasse filled with anchovies and olives. Where to stay: spend the night at boutique hotel La Maison d'Uzes set in a listed building the heart of the old town. The hotel restaurant, all parquet floors and vibrant velvet chairs, serves modern French dishes and local specialities, and the hotel has a spa, Roman baths and hammam. Doubles from £255, check availability at booking.com Provence For luxury relaxation Head to Provence to explore pretty villages, ancient vineyards and historical cities. Hike up Mount Ventoux, head to a wine-tasting at Cheateau Pesquie (and enjoy picnic in the pretty garden) or visit the idyllic village of L'Isle Sur-La-Sorgue on market day for antiques, bountiful fresh produce and lavender souvenirs to take home. The pretty walled city of Avignon is perfect for soaking up some history. Where to stay: Hilltop village Crillon Le Brave is a vision of Provençal style; a clutch of honey-hued, pastel-shuttered houses surrounded by slopes carpeted with olive groves and vineyards. The top of the village is now the effortlessly elegant five-star Hotel Crillon Le Brave. The highlight has to be the 180-degree views of unspoilt rolling countryside, vineyards, olive groves and Mount Ventoux. Made of nine houses linked together by the village streets, the 34 rooms are stylishly decorated in soothing neutral tones with Diptyque products in every bathroom. After a day of exploring, return to the hotel for dinner on the terrace at La Table du Ventoux. Admire the panoramic views whilst dining on seasonal French cuisine – expect local asparagus in spring and strawberries in summer. Spend your time playing boules in the terraced garden, relaxing by the pool the or having a massage in the tiny spa set in atmospheric ancient vaulted stables. Should you be able to tear yourself away from the hotel, borrow e-bikes to explore through fields and tiny villages. Doubles from £408, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Cognac For brandy, vineyards and medieval towns In southwestern France the Cognac region – birthplace of the world-famous grape brandy – is a rural one of rolling hills laced with vineyards and pristine medieval towns. It’s an area ripe for exploration, speckled with distilleries and cognac houses, many of which you can visit, from river boat rides and VR tours at Hennessy to intimate private dinners at Delamain, cocktail mixing at Château Montifaud and, of course, cognac tastings galore – sip neat or copy the locals and mix with tonic water. Many producers also use cognac to make a fortified wine, pineau des charentes, which makes a deliciously fruity aperitif. The town of Cognac is where some of the biggest cognac brands are located and makes a great base for exploration. Its quiet cobbled streets, full of medieval and 18th-century architecture, as well as the quay-lined Charente river, are perfect for walking off cognac tastings. It's also where you’ll find buzzy, industrial-chic Poulpette which has a counter lined with natural wines and a roster of pared-back seasonal plates. Or, further afield, head to Montendre for lunch at La Quincaillerie, an ironmonger turned restaurant with a classic French menu (don’t miss the cheese tray). Where to stay: In the heart of Cognac, Hotel Chais Monnet & Spa is a 19th-century cognac house turned five-star retreat, a seamless fusion of period architecture with modern glass structures. Interiors cocoon you in buttery neutrals, and rooms come stocked with French toiletries and madeleines on arrival. Book a junior suite on the upper floor of the original 19th-century part of the hotel, which comes with exposed wooden beams. The Michelin-starred Les Foudres, in the old ageing cellar, serves tasting menus that ripple with seasonal, local produce, while the more casual La Distillerie serves classic Gallic fare as well as a majestic breakfast buffet that includes fresh breads and pastries, eggs cooked to order and pain perdu. From €265 per room, check availability at chaismonnethotel.com and booking.com. Lille For a gourmet city break Close to the Belgian border, Lille is but 1 hour 22 minutes on the Eurostar from London, and one of northern France’s undiscovered culinary gems. It has traditional Flemish estaminet restaurants like Estaminet La Ch’Tite Brigitte, which serves regional classics like carbonnade beef stew in beer, leek flamiche and escargot in maroilles cheese in an eclectic setting. Krevette is a stylish contemporary seafood bistrot serving the freshest local catch in dishes like breaded sardines with oyster mayonnaise and St Jacques with BBQ brown butter. Méert is a Lille institution famous for its pastel patisserie and caramel-filled waffles. Grand Scène is a colourful, neon-lit street-food market hall with 10 stands serving global specialities like tacos, bao, gyros and duck burgers. Finally, BierBuik is a trendy pink-tiled craft brew pub that also serves modern takes on Lille tavern dishes, including moules, crêpes, and some of the best frites in town. Bonnelles For a peaceful countryside escape Bonnelles is the idyllic setting to switch off, get outdoors and reset for a weekend. It’s a huge expanse of countryside just a short drive from Paris but it seems a world away from city life. Explore the protected Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park or the Bonnelles Ponds nature reserve for serene walks. Le Barn is a must-visit for horse lovers, as it shares grounds with prestigious horsemanship school Haras de la Cense and is now offering a Horse Whisperer’s Experience for guests on Sundays. The two-and-a-half-hour experience introduces you to a horse, their training and behaviours, then gives you the chance to try out what you’ve learned at the lunge ring alongside an expert trainer. The venue is a popular retreat for Parisians looking to switch off from city life and is just as easily accessible from the UK, being just a 45-minute drive from Paris Orly airport. It champions local food, with a vast kitchen garden that provides a lot of the fruit and veg for the daily changing restaurant menu, designed by the head chef according to what’s in season. Other French classics, like award-winning cheese and wine, are locally sourced, and the simple breakfast is a treat. Think freshly baked baguettes, homemade jam, and bacon and eggs. Where to stay: Le Barn offers cosy rooms with tons of activities included in the price. From yoga to archery, there’s plenty on offer to occupy you while enjoying the 500-acre estate, full of grazing horses. The grounds have a sauna, hammam and Nordic baths, and two restaurants serving seasonal, locally sourced menus. Guests can also go for a massage, play board games by the fire or borrow an e-bike to explore the grounds, and kids can enjoy pony rides and games in the garden. Rooms are separate from the main building, across two converted barns with special suites available as well. Most have a balcony that overlooks the horse fields or the hotel’s lake (which is open for wild swimming if that’s your thing). Doubles from £200 per night, check availability at lebarnhotel.com or booking.com Normandy For local produce Calvados, cream, butter, cheese, apples, cider: like many places in France, Normandy is not easy on the arteries. It is, however, a superb place to sample AOC-status booze and food made by small, unfussy family producers, many of whom have been perfecting their produce since William the Conqueror started peppering the landscape with castles. Normandy boasts no fewer than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants and a packed calendar of food festivals throughout the year celebrating its natural larder, from the Fête du Camembert in Orbec in June, July’s oyster festival in Denneville, the Foire aux Fromages in Livarot in August, the scallop festival in Ouistreham in October and an annual cider festival in picturesque Beuvron-en-Auge. With 370 miles of coastline, menus are brimming with seafood. The region’s oysters have their own AOC (appellation d’origine contrôlée) and Port-en-Bessin’s scallops are justifiably famous – this is the home of coquilles St Jacques. The countryside is lush and green, grazed by native dairy herds, the region’s cheeseboard showcases the big four: livarot, neufchâtel, pont l’évêque and camembert de Normandie. The rolling hills are also blanketed with orchards of apples and pears, used to produce cider, calvados and poiré. Where to stay: soak up the impressive surroundings of the Château de la Puisaye, a rambling 18th-century property in Verneuil-sur-Avre, now an elegant b&b. British owners, Diana and Bruno Costes, have spent years renovating the Napolean III château, and now offer a handful of rooms in the main house, a studio over the stables and a holiday cottage: the old hunting lodge. Breakfast in the wood-panelled dining room is a delicious spread of home-baked bread and jams, fruit from their orchards, and local cheeses. Doubles from £115, check availability at booking.com Brittany For the home of crêpes You’re never more than a frisbee’s throw from a crêperie in Brittany. The northwest corner of France is famous for its pancakes – sweet, wafer-thin crêpes smeared with salted caramel or buckwheat galettes stuffed with artisan sausage. It’s also a popular bucket-and-spade destination. But there’s more to Brittany than beaches and pancakes. Its larder is bulging with cider, oysters and onions; that French stereotype, the beret-clad man on a bike with a string of onions round his neck, was an ‘onion Johnny,’ hopping from Brittany to Britain to sell sweet, pink onions from Roscoff. Butter is also big in Brittany – rich, creamy and seasoned with fleur de sel from the Guérande. Where to stay: Right by the water’s edge in Dinard, an elegant resort town in Brittany whose belle époque villas and grand hotels still hint at the grandeur of days gone by, Hotel Castelbrac holds its own among the surroundings. This fortress-like jumble of manicured stonework, originally built in the 1930s as a marine research station, sits on the town’s eastern shoreline overlooking St Malo across the water. Inside there’s a sophisticated, modern vibe (think art deco-inspired headboards and bathroom fittings, columns intricately tiled with mosaics and porthole-like windows illuminating velvet banquettes in the bar) while panoramic seaside views reflect the hotel’s restive, peaceful atmosphere. Splash out on one of the prestige rooms and you can enjoy panoramic windows stretching across the entire front of the room. Walk-in rain showers come as standard but some rooms also have elegant bathtubs at the foot of the beds Pampering is very much the order of the day here. Guests have access to private boat trips, bespoke treatments by Parisian spa brand Thémaéand a stunning sliver of a pool – a heated outdoor lap pool that lies just above the shore (bob your head up between strokes and you can look out at the sea below). Doubles from £349, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Dordogne For rural idyll There’s a reason why the Dordogne river has long been a magnet for those of us in search of classic beauty: it undulates through some of the loveliest parts of France, curling round towns and villages of gasp-inducing gorgeousness and, despite the odd sighting of jet-skis, gives the impression that nothing much ever changes. Head to Souillac (not for food, but for the slightly creepy Automaton museum; unmissable if you love the bizarre). And Sarlat, whose Saturday market is almost impossibly over-subscribed at the height of the summer season. As with many tourist destinations, the restaurants haven’t the greatest reputation, buy fat, vac-packed sausages and figs from the covered market in the Église Sainte Marie. For a blissful bout of people-watching at the heart of the market square, visit hilarious Jimmy’s Bar, a rockabilly French fantasy of a US diner, to eat oysters from one of the nearby market stalls and quantities of chilled Bergerac rosé. Where to stay: Chateau de la Treyne, clinging to the steep banks of the river, has baronial, wood-panelled rooms, vast open fireplaces and sense of serenity. Breakfast includes tiny, freshly made omelettes, cured ham, just-baked baguette and pastries, homemade jams and butter so luscious you could eat it by the spoonful. Dinner at the Chateau's Michelin-starred restaurant is quite the event, course after course of inventive cuisine making full use of the area’s native bounty – Quércy lamb, Aubrac beef and truffles (of course), in a tapestried room breathing stories of the past. Check rates and availability at chateaudelatreyne.com Read more about edible delights of the Dordogne here Sète For seaside fun Sète’s sandy beaches are thronged with visitors during summer, but the peninsula has bigger fish to fry than tourism – it’s the largest fishing port on the French Mediterranean coast, and behind it is the oyster-filled Thau lagoon. It’s picturesque, too – from the hillside ‘Little Naples’ district to its boat-lined canals, the 19th-century facades are an attractive reminder of the town’s prosperous wine-trading heritage. Local recipes – such as octopus-stuffed tielle pie – have stood the test of time, many brought by the Italian immigrants that settled here in the last century. The best seafood restaurants are along Quai Maximin Lucciardi near the harbour, where you’re likely to spot fishermen unloading still-writhing stock. Where to stay: Le Grand Hotel retains much of its belle époque charm. Velvet curtains and chandeliers set the scene for market-fresh ingredients at Quai 17, the hotel’s opulent restaurant; try the signature lobster risotto with bisque sauce, or local speciality bourride, a monkfish stew with aïoli. The bright bedrooms are spread across three elegant floors – go for one that overlooks the canal and gaze at the shimmering image of buildings and boats reflected in the water. Doubles from £149, check availability at booking.com Languedoc Roussillon For less crowded South of France West of the glitz and glamour of the Côte d’Azur is a quieter, less crowded corner of the South of France: the Languedoc Roussillon. Sweeping from Provence to the Pyrénées via a scenic string of historic towns and villages, shimmering coastline and wild, untamed countryside, the region is also one of the oldest and largest wine growing areas of the world. Inland you can take to the lazy waters of the Canal du Midi or the rugged surroundings of the Cévennes National Park or visit one of the many vineyards of the region. Historic local towns with their bustling produce markets like Pézanas, Béziers and Narbonne provide plenty of scope for picking up ingredients if you want to self-cater. Where to stay: wine forms the central theme of Château St. Pierre de Serjac, a 200-acre hotel-cum-vineyard outside Puissalicon. At its heart is a turreted, 19th century chateau surrounded by fragrant gardens, olive trees and palms. From its windows guests can gaze out over a huge, heated infinity pool onto regimented rows of vines and, beyond it, the fertile Langeudocienne landscape. The ground floor is home to the reception area, bar and a fine dining restaurant, and is decorated in a sophisticated palette of peacock and teal with Art Deco-style chandeliers picked up in the antiques market in nearby Béziers. A Cinq Mondes spa, with tranquil indoor pool, completes the picture. Upstairs in the château are eight, luxurious suites, fittingly decked out with chandeliers, antiques, roll-top baths and singular touches such as (in an eaves room) the hand-painted walls of a former chapel. An extensive renovation has also seen the repurposing of the estates’ many outbuildings, resulting in 36-self catering apartments and houses. These are the real appeal for families. Sleeping two to eight, each one has been tastefully decorated in 50 shades of Elephant’s Breath with lots of linen, oak and wrought iron. They also come with high spec kitchens and all the latest tech – some of the larger properties also have fenced off pools. Amble over to the château for breakfast in the main restaurant – a spread of freshly baked croissants and pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cereals and hot dishes cooked to order. Doubles from £238, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrsssmith.com Loire Valley For a gourmet rural escape The Loire Valley is one of France’s most rewarding gourmet destinations. Often called the garden of France, it produces an abundance of fresh ingredients so youll be spoilt for choice with local produce to enjoy – from asparagus and goat’s cheese to river fish and seasonal fruit. Wine lovers will have plenty to explore with the region's vineyards too. Between meals, visitors can explore storybook châteaux (and even stay in them, see below), lively markets (perfect for stocking up on all those local goodies) and charming towns that feel refreshingly unhurried compared to more crowded regions. Whether you’re cycling between wineries, lingering over a long lunch by the river or discovering small family-run producers, the Loire Valley offers a slower, more intimate way to experience French gastronomy. Where to stay: Tucked into the sleepy Loire Valley village of Vernou-en-Sologne, La Borde en Sologne Châteaux & Spa is a quietly luxurious countryside retreat, drawing couples and slow-travel seekers with its elegant, unfussy charm and sense of seclusion. Rooms are individually styled, blending traditional features with contemporary comfort. Expect soft linens, muted tones and views across the surrounding woodland or gardens. Some rooms offer baths or private terraces, ideal for a more indulgent stay, while thoughtful touches like locally sourced toiletries and well stocked minibars add to the sense of place. The on-site restaurant, Mémoire, is a highlight, with a seasonal menu rooted in the Loire Valley. Think delicately prepared river fish, garden-led vegetable dishes and refined takes on classic French plates. The wine list leans local, showcasing the region’s crisp whites and lighter reds, while the bar offers a relaxed spot for an apéritif or nightcap. In summer the terraces come into their own, with drinks and light bites served outdoors overlooking the gardens. Breakfast is a generous spread of pastries, fresh breads, local cheeses and preserves, alongside cooked to order eggs and seasonal fruit. Doubles from €220, check availability at booking.com or laborde-sologne.fr South Pigalle, Paris For Parisian patisserie The once overlooked SoPi neighbourhood is now a must-visit for its artisan patisseries, hip bistros and stellar cheese shops. If you're travelling to Paris for the patisserie alone, check out Sébastien Gaudard’s Rue des Martyrs boutique. Whether you want a choux bun, or a jar of crème de marrons (chestnut cream), you'll feel like a child in a sweet shop. They look almost too good to eat, but don't let that stop you. After all those cakes, a coffee might be in order, so stop off at KB Café Shop. After spending time in Sydney, the French owner wanted to bring some Australian influence back to France. It's got a relaxed vibe and the beans are roasted on site so they're as fresh as can be. Flaine For a foodie ski trip Looking for the best French ski trip? Set in the French Alps, Flaine is the ideal base for a weekend spent skiing and indulging in vin chaud and crepes. Restaurant Le Michet is set at a handy spot where many of the runs converge. It’s a place to wallow inside on a cold evening, protected by timber rafters, thick stone walls and central fireplace. If you’re after Savoyard specialities you’ll find everything from tartiflette to home-smoked trout and salmon on the menu but it’s worth experimenting with some of the more unusual dishes; the subtly spiced lentils with coconut milk and black rice (essentially a creamy dhal) is great post-ski fuel. Make sure you take a big enough suitcase to squirrel away some gourmet souvenirs from artisan food store Chez Bolzi on your way home. In the centre of Flaine Forum, close to the tourist office, almost everything it sells comes from within a 50km radius of Flaine; take your pick from reblochon and tome cheeses, Savoie salamis, beer from Brasserie Mont Blanc and Savoie-produced Pinot Noir and Cremant. Where to stay: Make Terminal Neige Totem your base, with its views out on the slopes and outdoor hot tub. The buffet food they offer is much more than your average spread, think plates of charcuterie and cheese, pan-fried seabass as well as fondue. Don’t miss out on the dessert bar – a place to indulge in Nutella mug cakes, made-to-order waffles and homemade bluberry marshmallows. If you need a break from all the skiing, head to one of the street food stalls in Flaine Forum and warm yourself up with hot crepes. Read our full guide to Flaine, here. Bordeaux For a winter getaway This city’s robust signature dishes, rib-sticking entrecôte cooked in red wine, butter, shallots, herbs and bone marrow sauce, confit duck and lamprey, come into their own in winter, and it’s an excellent place to shop for foodie stocking fillers. Each year, Bordeaux’s Allées de Tourny is transformed into a Christmas market with wooden huts and stalls selling local gifts, many of them food-related. Stock up on canelés from Baillardran and don’t miss Maison Darricau for handmade chocolates peppered with honey and spices. Where to stay: Twenty minutes’ drive from Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is the epitome of French country chic. There’s a stone manor house at its heart, a small lake, and a hard-working kitchen garden, plus a hamlet-like extension of suites. Great food and wine are the focus at this gastronomic getaway, but even the finest dining (the hotel’s main restaurant, La Grand’Vigne, holds two Michelin stars) is done without fuss. The newer, cabin-like suites (designed to reflect the oyster fishermen’s huts of Cap Ferret, in the nearby Arcachon Basin), with their whitewashed timber walls, retro-influenced furniture and spa-like bathrooms, are the ones to splash out on; in the evenings you’ll be serenaded by frogs as you return to your room along flower- and water-lined pathways. In the mornings, step onto your private terrace and watch carthorses ploughing the vines just outside. The three restaurants at Les Sources have most tastes covered. Celebrate a special occasion with dinner in La Grand’Vigne and enjoy a meal where even the table salts stick in the memory (one of ours, blended with Bordeaux pimento, was the colour of roast peppers). The cheeseboard comes with fresh cottage cheese, from a local dairy, served with a dot of cherry jam. Doubles from £272, check availability at booking.com, mrandmrssmith.com or expedia.co.uk Biarritz For a foodie French seaside trip If you’re looking for a French spring getaway, head to Biarritz – a glitzy seaside resort which is the perfect place for cheese lovers. Start off with a visit to Crampotte 30, an old fisherman's hut turned restaurant serving a selection of pintxos. Head to halles-biarritz for a selection of regional produce including dry-cured bayonne ham. Don’t leave before visiting Patisserie Miremont, a confectionary shop that dates back to the 19th century. Order the speciality which is a chocolate mousse cake called Le Beret Basque. Bayonne For a visit to the French capital of chocolate The tranquil city of Bayonne embodies the gastronomic energy of the Basque region, historically famed for its artisanal hams, and as the French capital of chocolate. The legendary Chocolat Cazenave serves up intense bubble-topped ‘sparkling’ hot chocolates in porcelain cups. Chocolaterie Xokola Etxetera specialises in chocolate spreads infused with spicy Espelette pepper, and L’Atelier du Chocolat Bayonne has its iconic Bayonne chocolate shard bouquets. Eat pintxos including jamon croquettes, truffled croque monsieur and Pyrenees milk-fed lamb kebabs at Les Basses Pyrénées bar. Then, for dinner, head to La Brasserie Basa for fish dishes with daily catch from the local village of Saint-Jean-De-Luz, and sweet creations such as buckwheat almond praline choux to finish. Europcamp Domaine de Massereau For a foodie family camping trip Eurocamping is an affordable way to have a family holiday, but Domaine de Massereau promises so much more than just a campsite. The on-site vineyard produces 30,000 bottles a year, and you can sample of few of them on the free one hour-tour and tasting each evening. If you find one you like, stock up as they’re rarely exported. If you want to eat on-site, you can order pizzas fresh from the wood-fired oven or seafood platters piled high with crabs, razor clams and langoustines. Should you wish to explore the local area, head into Sommières – a beautiful French town with shuttered buildings and market squares. Check rates and availability at eurocamp.co.uk More travel guides 10 unique walking holidays for foodies 8 of the most breathtaking train journeys across the world Swap popular tourist spots for these lesser known destinations Best Morocco food trips Best Spanish food trips Best Portuguese food trips Best European vineyards to visit and stay Best foodie city breaks by train Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best country house hotels in the UK Best Scottish hotels
Check out our favourite restaurants, bars and foodie spots in this buzzing area of south-east London. Try Persian meze, low-intervention wines, Indian street food nibbles and more
Peckham is home to an expanding roster of cool yet respected eateries, mostly located on the bustling Rye Lane. I've lived in south/south-east London for almost 10 years and Peckham is always the neighbourhood I head to for a casual yet exciting meal, either with friends or visiting family members. Hailed for its excellent breadth, you can find anything from quirky Vietnamese snacks to Parisian 'bistronomy' and London-style pizza. There truly is something to suit all tastes. Check out our favourite restaurants, bars and foodie spots in the SE area below, from French-style bistros to Persian meze and plant-based Indian street food. After, read about our favourite new restaurants in London or the best restaurants in Clerkenwell. Best places to eat and drink in Peckham Upstairs at Hausu, Station Way Hausu takes its vintage hi-fidelity sounds and mid-century aesthetic to its upstairs loft space, a sultry drinking destination and listening bar. As you ascend the stairs you enter the dimly lit space, unfolding into rich chocolate-cherry sheer voile and wool-draped curtains. Speakers have been mounted high in the upstairs corners, broadcasting an eclectic repertoire of jazz and post-punk records on vinyl. The concise cocktail list builds on the downstairs kitchen's predilection for worldly spins on classics. The salted iberiko tomato martini mixes vodka, dry vermouth and iberiko tomato water to make a fresh, umami-forward sip. Coconut daiquiri, with cachaça, coconut, lime and cardamom, is zippy while striking a balance of fruity-herbaceous. Make sure to order the luxurious buttered rum espresso martini (rum, salted butter, Kahlua, espresso) to round out the evening. Bar snacks are inspired by head chef Holly’s dedication to Italian influences and local produce, designed for sharing and late-night snacking. Glossy boquerones are dressed in lime leaf oil, plump Wright Brothers scallops are cooked over coals, pepped up with in-house XO sauce and topped with a tangle of sweet, salty seaweed for a crispy finish. Thin, peppered slices of filetto lardato – premium Italian cured pork – were delicately delicious, melting in the mouth with every bite. hausulondon.co.uk Levan, Blenheim Grove This Peckham mainstay has undertaken a few refreshes as it enters its eighth year, with ex-Planque and The Clove Club chef Rani Raimondi in the kitchen. His appointment is accompanied by a thoughtful update of the restaurant’s interior, with big Parisian charm via a rich burgundy palate, softened lighting and carefully curated art. Inspired by the ‘bistronomy’ movement and a longstanding love affair with French cuisine, Levan’s à la carte menu is split into four sections – snacks, starters, larger mains and sides. Start with a few snacks and starters: tuck into the must-have beef tartare, a rich, tender morsel perched atop a deeply golden Parisienne-style rösti. The highlight of the starters is the scallop crudo – delicate slices of scallop are balanced by sweet-tart blood orange, accompanied by dabs of crème fraîche and trout roe for a fresh, mildly salty finish. For mains, the pork neck is tender and deeply succulent, crowned with slithers of buttery Cantabrian anchovies and charred sprouts which elevate its savouriness to heavenly new heights. Finish with the chocolate pudding, uniquely fused with plums, hazelnut praline and sesame ice cream to create a mouthwatering experience. The carefully curated wine list focuses on low-intervention and biodynamic wines. Dafni white is wonderfully herbaceous with a refreshing citrus finish – a native variety saved from extinction by the Lyrarakis family in Greece. There is also a snappy list of modish aperitifs: the Red Velvet Margarita, mixing mezcal verde with Lillet Rouge, plum brine, almond orgeat, cranberry and rosemary, will be what we order next time. levanlondon.co.uk Connie's, Station Passage Find this smart and cosy pizzeria set under the arches of Queen’s Road Peckham, taking over the site formerly occupied by South African restaurant Little Kudu. It is the latest project from Andrea Asciuti, founder of acclaimed Neapolitan hot spot 081 Pizzeria. Named after his wife, the focus is on Britalian style pizzas, injecting London-style pizza (light, crispy, premium toppings) with Italian soul, all while using seasonal, local ingredients. Andrea leaves his background in Neapolitan-style pizza behind for pies which are crisp and airy, with dough fermented for 36-48 hours and baked at 370C using American flour (you won't find floppy slices here). Expect up to eight different pizzas on the menu, from a classic margherita to a double pepperoni with hot honey, as well as 'nduja and British stracciatella. There is a quartet of starters to choose from: cheesy dough balls, deep-fried mac ’n’ cheese, mozzarella sticks and meatballs. The mozzarella fingers easily make it into the cheese-pull hall of fame, while the mac 'n' cheese bites make crunchy morsels which taste even better liberally dunked into a pot of tangy blue cheese sauce. There is one dessert, presented in three forms: fiocco di neve mini brioche filled with either pistachio, Nutella or ricotta whipped cream. conniespizzeria.com Maiz, Peckham Rye Maiz is London's first dedicated 'pozoleria' and the latest addition to London's advancing Mexican food scene. This relaxed spot is the vision of two Mexican chefs: Dany Vázquez, who previously worked at Eleven Madison Park as well as under José Andrés, and London-based chef Erick, who ran the Los Ilegales food truck in Greenwich. Maiz has a cantina atmosphere comparable to Mexico City’s buzzy taquerias, where you can spot the chefs loading up tacos while you sip on a Michelada. Expect a punchy menu offering two authentic Mexican dishes: pozole and street food-style tacos. Deep bowls of red pozole – a traditional Mexican stew made with hominy, pork and a red broth that’s simmered with spices and chillies for hours – offers soothing comfort and offsets the fresh, tongue-tingling tacos which disappear in minutes. Taco highlights include the 24-hour beef birria, served with melted cheese and its own consommé, plus the 12-hour cochinita pibil (pork), sprinkled with pickled red onion and habanero sauce. The strong cocktail list straddles mezcal and tequila-based creations with classic tipples – make a beeline for the 'Chelada' for a fresh and lighter take on the spicy classic. instagram.com/maizgroup Kokum, East Dulwich Road This smart neighbourhood restaurant on the East Dulwich/Peckham border serves some of the highest quality Indian cooking this side of the river. It should be no surprise, given the restaurant is the vision of Sanjay Gour (ex-head chef at Gymkhana) and Simeron Lily Patel – co-founders of the Michelin-rated Dastaan and Black Salt Sheen. Far from Michelin prices, Kokum offers a competitively priced menu that bridges delicate starters with bowls of gravy-laden curries and flaky lachha paratha. Dahi puri saw dainty layers of potato, chickpea and moong sprout submerged in deceptively fiery layers of tang, sweet and spice. Pickled and charred tandoori roast cauliflower sat in a pool of hot makhani sauce, jewelled with pockets of mint and coriander chutney. The curries that followed accommodate to the neighbourhood clientele, with deep bowls of lamb rogan josh and lemongrass-infused makrut lime prawns. A side of dal makhani – eight-hour slow-cooked black lentils – countered the mains with its dark sultriness. There’s plenty of choice to drink too – the sharp cocktail list includes an espresso martini spiced with chai liqueur, and a punchy strawberry blush, pepped with tamarind spicy vodka and lengthened with basil tonic. Desserts include a rich kulfi made with Iranian pistachio and rum-flambéed gulab jamun, tempered with vanilla ice cream. kokumlondon.com Lai Rai, Rye Lane Meet friends for fuss-free snacks and cold beers at this dinky new-school Vietnamese on Rye Lane. With the name Lai Rai meaning ‘little by little’, the space is a homage to Vietnamese canteens, with a buttery colour palette, neon lighting and slick red stools. By day it serves bánh mì and Vietnamese coffee, by evening the menu mutates into playful twists on familiar Vietnamese flavours – you won't find any bowls of pho here. Small plates include crunchy prawn lollies on sugarcane stalks and a light, multicoloured papaya jellyfish salad with lumps of pineapple, charred tomatoes, fresh Viet herbs and peanuts, wiped clean with charred bánh mì chunks. Larger dishes include a twice-cooked chicken leg atop a herby dressing and grilled betel leaf beef, swimming in a smoky pool of house-made coffee barbecue jus. Vietnamese-inspired cocktails include the Xoài Kick, a bracing mix of tequila, mango, red chillies and fruit salt, and a Viet coffee-laced vodka martini. Finish with a scoop of freshly churned ice cream made by small south London manufacturer Clingy Wrap, with funky flavours including fish sauce vanilla caramel and kumquat cucumber sorbet. If you're looking for something altogether unexpected, you’ll find it here. lairai.london Hausu, Station Way Housed inside a Victorian Grade II listed train station, Hausu makes a cool and cosy date night spot run by head chef Holly Middleton Joseph. Luckily, the backdrop of clattering trains is cleverly masked by a vintage high-fidelity sound system that plays funk and soul. The menu's modern sharing plates promise bold flavours such as its signature spin on prawn toast, piled high with a mountainous helping of prawn and scallop mousse coated in black sesame seeds and deep fried until crisp. To finish, it’s plated with a fermented chilli ketchup and dusted with dehydrated scallop roe. The menu changes with the seasons, along with the DJs, so every time you swing by it feels like a new experience. Plus, when you're ready to go home you’re handily already at the station. hausulondon.co.uk Dough Hands, Nunhead Green Dough Hands has garnered a cult following due to its crisp dough and feather-light crust, made possible by baking its pizzas low and slow at 350 degrees. Led by pizzaiolo Hannah Drye, this trendy pizza joint is co-pioneering the emerging London pizza, a style which mashes up various influences including a New York inspired thin crust and light base. Dough Hands is currently doing a permanent kitchen residency at fun-loving south London pub The Old Nun's Head, as well as Hackney-based The Spurstowe Arms. The menu features a handful of 12-inch pizzas. The Jode – arguably the most popular and delicious – sees spicy sausage and stracciatella drizzled with hot honey, finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil and parmesan. Veggies have a cause to celebrate thanks to the Shroomy 2.0, one of the freshest vegetarian offerings we’ve tried. Expect mushrooms roasted in soy sauce, topped with soft taleggio cheese, tarragon, garlic and grana padano. The soy provides a rich umami kick which isn’t typically seen atop mushroom pizzas. Sides are kept simple, with just the garlic bread available, covered in a herby garlic butter. Dips includes everyone’s favourite garlic and herb, as well as Dough Hands’ signature hot honey and very own fermented hot sauce. Happy Endings ice cream sandwiches are also available at the bar. We washed down our pizzas with a cold beer – we opted for a pint of Lucky Saint lager and a Lazer Crush by Beavertown, a razor-sharp alcohol-free IPA. instagram.com/doughhandspizza/ Taquiza, Rye Lane Mexican-inspired eatery, Taquiza, is a fun, laid-back spot, perfect for dinner with friends. It's an open and buzzy space, situated under a Peckham archway, with a menu of eat-with-your-hands dishes: grilled elote showered in chipotle aïoli, chilli and queso añejo (Mexican cheese), 12-hour beef tacos with salsa roja, onion and coriander, chiles toreados (blistered chilli peppers) and smoked tofu chorizo tacos with xcatik cream (a spicy chilli pepper cream), guacamole and jalapeños. There’s an impressively sized pasilla chocolate mousse for dessert, topped with vanilla cremate and sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and pistachio. Wash it all down with margarita picantes or, if the evening calls for it, a shot of smoky mezcal. instagram.com/taquizaldn/ Peckham Arches, Blenheim Grove Find this trendy south-east London haunt underneath the railway arches of Peckham Rye station, complete with a botanical garden terrace, two cocktail bars and art gallery. Watch chefs as they sling pizza from a wood-fired oven, laden with toppings such as Italian spicy sausage, mozzarella and Frank’s hot honey or – our favourite – ’nduja with mozzarella, pickled red chilli and red onion, finished with lashings of creamy garlic sauce. Choose from a selection of hot, crunchy morsels on the ‘nibbles’ menu – the mushroom and truffle arancini and the crispy courgette fries are not to be missed. Cocktails are given equal attention, offering refreshing mezcal and tequila numbers like a picante, a grapefruit margarita and a passion fruit mezcalita. Natural wines, ‘regular’ wines, draught and local beers are also available. peckhamarches.com En Root, Peckham Rye Brothers Nish and Harsh have come a long way since selling hot sauce at markets in 2016, expanding to a bricks-and-mortar in Clapham and, more recently, a plant-based restaurant in Peckham decked with plants, draped mandala tapestries and decorative cushions. Sip on the watermelon juice with beetroot, apple, ginger and mint during summer evenings, or ask for the modestly priced cocktail menu, where juices are livened with rum. Nourishing vegan fare lies at the heart of En Root, offering Indian classics and street food nibbles infused with Gujarati spices. Start with sharing bites: puri is filled with beetroot, onions and chickpeas, and submerged in date tamarind masala water, while the plantain chaat – seasoned plantain on a bed of beetroot, onions, chickpeas, ‘spice krispies’ and chutney – is an explosion of sweet crunch. For mains, saag aloo-filled dosas come with lentil soup and coconut chutney. Or, for optimum health, try the buddha bowl, generously filled with rainbow salad, baba ghanoush, sprouted lentils, curried chickpeas, plantain and avocado. To finish, the mango lassi cheesecake on an oaty coconut base offers a healthier twist on the original – best served with creamy chai. enrootldn.co.uk Peckham Cellars, Queen's Road Elegant floor-to-ceiling Crittal windows frame this breezy, laid-back wine bar on Queen's Road in Peckham. Start with a glass of lemony Gusbourne fizz from Kent before delving into a wine list defined by sustainably minded, small-scale producers, with plenty of affordable options by the glass. We try another Kentish stunner – Westwell's Ortega Amphora 2019, fermented in terracotta jars – with fragrant apricot and honey suckle notes, before moving onto summery, cherry-tinged chilled gamay, available on tap at the bar. A quietly industrious open kitchen, led by chef Henry Freestone – garlanded with a Bib Gourmand in 2020 – amiably sends out plates of unfussy yet deceptively luxurious food. Highlights include springy sourdough with whipped lemon and rosemary butter, porchetta layered with crispy, salty shards of crackling, and filo-wrapped asparagus with a soft-boiled duck egg for dipping. Save space for pudding – a decadent lemon meringue pie sundae is the childhood dessert of dreams. peckhamcellars.co.uk Frank’s Café, Rye Lane This is about as trendy and hipster as you get, but in the best possible way. On top of a multi-storey car park in Peckham, there's a pithy list of on-trend drinks, from negronis, margaritas and cucumber gimlets to jug cocktails such as white port and tonic, and fruity rum punch. Snacks include brown sugar hot wings, deep-fried mackerel in a bun, and lamb breast kebab with burnt chilli yogurt. It closes for winter and opens in the spring each year. boldtendencies.com/franks-cafe Persepolis, Peckham High Street Pay a visit to Persepolis for a taste of Persia in the heart of Peckham. Beyond the deli’s impressive selection of tins, spices, Persian yogurts and display of shisha pipes, you’ll find a cosy hideout where diners feast on freshly made meze platters and veggie and vegan delights such as eggs scrambled with dates and fragrant spices, and dairy-free knickerbocker glories. This popular café is a favourite among locals for its no-nonsense, avocado-free breakfasts (think mango and tamarind smoothies and pots of Persian tea with cardamom); however, the £20 tasting menu is the real standout: a colourful carousel of food spanning meze, soup, mains and a dessert platter filled with ice cream, paklava and fruit. foratasteofpersia.co.uk Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
The Japanese listening bar concept has landed in London. Expect hifi sound systems, stellar cocktails and sultry surrounds for soaking up the music
Looking for the best hifi bars in London? If you're partial to a carefully curated cocktail or two, you may have noticed the term 'listening bar' appearing on the London cocktail bar scene in the last couple of years. Think: intimate, low lighting, stylish, mid-century décor and most importantly, high-fidelity sound systems. Inspired by Japanese "kissaten" culture, which emerged in the post-war era, the experience of sound is placed firmly centre stage. Although while the music may be a key focus, food and drinks menus are by no means an afterthought, with high-quality, seasonal ingredients, global-inspired flavours and rotating chef takeovers. As an east London resident myself, you might call me biased but my favourite spots also happen to inhabit this side of the capital. For a cute and cosy date night destination, Chiave is a no-brainer, where you can continue the night and throw shapes on the luxe downstairs dance floor complete with bespoke sound system (trust me, it's nothing like the sweaty basements you may have frequented in the past). If you're looking for a more substantial meal, I would never fail to recommend Mad Cats's east Asian-inspired menu packed with punchy, umami-rich flavour. And that pandan crème brûlée, wow. Of course, the whole of London is blessed with a wealth of stellar options, so whatever your taste, peruse my list below and find something to suit you. Next, discover the best cocktail bars in London, London hotel bars to visit and the best rooftop bars in London. For an off-the-beaten track new spot to visit, read about these neighbourhood gems according to London locals and find out where our drinks writer goes for summer drinking in London. Best London listening bars Upstairs at Hausu, Peckham Upstairs at Hausu is a sultry listening bar that elevates Hausu’s vintage hi-fi sounds and mid-century style to a plush, dimly lit loft. Here, high-mounted speakers fill the space with a curated vinyl mix of jazz and post-punk, making music central to the experience. The concise cocktail list impresses with global riffs on classics — standouts include the salted iberiko tomato martini, a fresh, umami-forward blend, and the coconut daiquiri, which balances tropical notes with a hint of cardamom. The buttered rum espresso martini is a decadent finale. Bar snacks, crafted by head chef Holly, are Italian-influenced and locally sourced: glossy boquerones in lime leaf oil, coal-cooked Wright Brothers scallops with XO sauce and crisp seaweed, and melt-in-the-mouth slices of filetto lardato. Chiave, Shoreditch Meaning ‘key’ in Italian, Chiave cuts a subtle exterior on Shoreditch’s Redchurch Street bar the large, polished brass-effect key on the door. Naturally lit during the day from the sash windows, stay until sundown for the bar to transform into a cosy drinking den with dark mahogany tables and palo santo incense swirling up towards the alluring red ceiling. Chiave’s nine signature cocktails are the crowning glory, each of which is named after a song. Street Spirit (named after Radiohead’s 1995 track) is a vibrant twist on a Moscow mule with aniseed notes from raki – Turkey’s national spirit – effortlessly blended with a subtle salted caramel vodka. Margarita fans will not be disappointed with a Tommy margarita mixing equal quantities of Ojo de Dios mezcal and Don Julio tequila, with chilli liqueur and a spicy sumac rim. For crisp and aromatic herbal refreshment don’t miss Sunbeams with Tanqueray No Ten gin, chinotto nero and a blend of clarified sea buckthorn and basil. The team’s Turkish heritage is carried into the small but thoughtful snack selection. Nibble on dainty, rice-stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate molasses for dipping, or hummus-filled cucumber bites. If you want to carry on the night, pop downstairs to the small but compact dance floor with custom-made speakers and a stylish HiFi mixer. Mad Cats, Shoreditch Another listening bar has landed in Shoreditch – and this one is more than worth a visit. With a compact cocktail selection that chooses quality over quantity, Asian-inspired flavours sing with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur, junmai sake and lemongrass, while there’s a dash of Lebanese inspiration with the Zaza cocktail: a spin on a classic tequila martini with infused za’atar oil. Red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines are available from traditional and new world regions, as well as five varieties of sake. East Asian flavours are carried across to the menu. The yellowtail carpaccio with jalapeño sauce and ponzu dressing is beautifully presented, and citrusy without being too sharp. Towering brioche toast with crab and gochujang aïoli was a highlight, although there truly were no misses: charred hispi cabbage is accompanied by an umami-rich wafu sauce, and the miso hake with chilli oil and samphire is buttery and delicate. Finally, the Greek cantaloupe sorbet makes the perfect palate cleanser ahead of the silky pandan crème brûlée. Attention to detail goes beyond the menu, with chopsticks resting on hand-painted model cats, DJs spinning vinyl only and an abundance of high-fidelity speakers to keep audiophiles content. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom through the blue velvet curtain where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is played on a speaker directly into your cubicle. The Listening Room, Soho Soho’s Wardour Street contains a secret. Downstairs from Japanese-inspired grill and omakase restaurant MOI – and via an impressive retro-futuristic spiral staircase – resides The Listening Room, a spacious underground listening bar. Serious about audio, bespoke speakers are from London-based sound system maker Friendly Pressure, and the walls are covered in soundwave-like textured curves for great acoustics. The drinks menu is led by ex-Langham Dino Koletsas and infused with Asian flavours. The shiro negroni, a refreshing white spin on a negroni with yuzu sake, potato shochu and chrysanthemum bitters has a pleasantly floral nose. Them Apples cleverly recreates the flavour of fresh green apple without using the ingredient itself: instead sparkling green tea, whisky, tomato liqueur and marigold combine for an ultra-refreshing sip. The extensive sake and natural wine list is accessible to both the more experienced and more nascent sipper. Order sushi, small plates and skewers hot off the grill from the upstairs kitchen by executive chef Andy Cook who worked with Gordon Ramsay to open his outpost in Tokyo. The crisp, warm and slightly sweet steamed buns served with smoked cod’s roe was a strong start. Sushi is not one to miss either – we chose Icelandic sea urchin and chutoro tuna temaki delicately wrapped in nori, whose rich flavour was perfectly complemented by dots of wasabi and slices of pickled ginger. Sova, Notting Hill Sova, the Slavic word for ‘owl’, brings Eastern European flair to Notting Hill in the form of a cosy yet buzzy wine bar. From the team behind Zima, Soho’s contemporary Slavic restaurant, wines are European with a particular Eastern European focus, showcasing classic expressions alongside low intervention and skin contact. Edgar Brutler’s Spitz from Romania spotlights a rare Transylvanian field blend of almost extinct grapes and has a lovely minerality – a natural wine that’s unusual but not overtly so. Georgian and Ukrainian orange wines feature alongside an eclectic spread of reds (including chilled), lively rosés and crisp bubbles hailing from Slovakia to France and Spain. Moldovan chef Denis Calmis showcases Slavic flavours across the menu of sharing plates. Start with the cheese platter: a mild, buttery parmesan allows the four Balkan and Alpine varieties to shine, served with roasted nuts, quince jelly and truffle honey. Delicate beetroot croquettes are generously dusted with parmesan, while tuna tartare with adjika, cucumber, fennel and capers has zippy bite. The jewel in the crown is the flavour-bomb whisky and honey roasted chicken – with the green apple and avocado salsa a lovely counterpart. Sit in the window to catch the late afternoon sun or at the countertop for a closer seat to the guest DJs spinning vinyl until the sun goes down. Nipperkin, Mayfair Situated inside NIJŪ Japanese grill and sushi bar, Nipperkin is heavily inspired by 1950s Japanese listening bars. Step through ornate curtains into an intimate, mid-century space with plush seating, and marvel as expert mixologists fan perfectly cuboid ice, with an impressive record collection and vinyl set-up behind them. Centred around micro-seasonality, the drinks menu from award-winning mixologist Angelos Bafas is split into four harvest seasons. Hyper-seasonal British ingredients such as wild garlic, spring flowers and blackberries expertly coalesce with the classic Japanese ingredients, such as yuzu, shiso and matcha. The highball pickled cucumber was seriously refreshing, as was the Granny Smith and yuzu with Exmoor raw wildflower honey. Macerated blackberries and sloes make a pleasantly herbaceous and bitter sip with Axia Extra Dry Mastiha and Cambridge red bitters, while there’s umami savouriness on offer from the likes of Nipperkin’s aged mushroom spirit, Cambridge truffle gin and tomato liqueur. Don’t overlook the ‘dry’ season – the sour green gooseberries with a non-alcoholic citrus spirit and English wasabi tastes like a lemon meringue pie with a whisper of warmth. Dunk crunchy bar snacks from NIJŪ of seasonal vegetables and lotus chips into creamy tofu with shiso oil and buttery grilled aubergine – and you can even peep into NIJŪ’s kitchen when paying a visit to the adorned bathrooms. Encore, Mayfair Downstairs from Lebanese rotisserie joint Toum, Encore successfully ticks off two cocktail bar buzzwords in one fell swoop: listening bar and speakeasy. Just steps away from Regent Street, this stylish subterranean bar unites a heady mix of Lebanese and French influences across the polished cocktail and snack menus. Twelve signature cocktails showcase inventive twists on classics – a sumac-spiced negroni with tequila is balanced by pomegranate, while the refined mezcal spritz brings in zingy and refreshing yuzu, lime and coconut water. Those sweet-inclined will enjoy the unique yet familiar taste of the tarte tatin: oak aged brandy, vanilla liqueur, coconut water and honey give a balanced sweetness that is never saccharine. The Encore batanga is a stand-out with added depth from sherry and spidery strands of red chilli scattered on top. Unctuous and warm comté madeleines were particularly irresistible from the elevated bar snack menu. Habibi funk and Arabic disco deep cuts can be heard spinning on vinyl, thanks to the sound-diffusing ceiling and speakers dotted around the intimate space. Rich red carpets, mid-century wood panelling and stylish contemporary artwork make the bar the perfect spot for a date night or cosy catch-up with a friend. Stereo, Covent Garden Beneath the depths of Covent Garden’s cobblestones sits Stereo, a cocktail bar that harks back to the analogue era with its 70s-esque brown wood panelled décor, vintage cocktails, vinyl-only DJ sets and live bands. From the focal point bar surrounded by orb-shaped lamps, disco punch bowls are mixed with STEREO house vodka and Thames Distillers gin, as well as 70s- and 80s-inspired cocktails using vintage vermouth and other aged spirits. Negroni and espresso martini are on draft, or choose from the likes of Flying Paper’s black sesame seed-encrusted tumbler with Buffalo Trace bourbon hibiscus, amaro Montenegro and lemon, or Sunset in Oaxaca’s evening pick-me-up with Tapatio tequila blanco, mezcal, rhubarb cordial, Aperol, lemon and orange blossom. Kick off the night with à la carte American-inspired dishes of dredged fried chicken sandos and macaroni cheese with a brioche crumb – chef-restaurateur Andrew Clarke of Acme Fire Cult consulted on the menu – accompanied by the smooth house band. You can dance until the early hours with their rotating line-up of DJs. If you get peckish, late-night bar snacks and nibbles will keep you going, with the likes of warm popcorn with espelette salt and STEREO hot wings. Viajante87, Notting Hill Gate Don’t be deceived by the Barbie pink door with neon graffiti on the street outside – descend the staircase into Viajante87 to find yourself in an underground bar with moody lighting and flickering candles. Sit up at the long bar, a beacon of light in the otherwise dark space, and chat to the friendly staff or get cosy at one of the more intimate tables. The substantial cocktail menu is inspired by Latin America and celebrates a diversity of agave as well as more unusual ingredients. Creations include the likes of Blood Moon with Patrón reposado tequila, Aperol, pomegranate and hibiscus, with plenty of lemon and smoked Oaxacan Pasilla chilli to offset the sweetness. Alcohol-free 0087 has a very pleasant savouriness from pico de gallo with Seedlip Grove, oolong cordial and sancho pepper. On Thursdays from 7-11pm Latin-inspired jazz, funk and disco vinyl spins on the decks, accompanied by a pared back cocktail menu (in addition to the regular one) with classic cocktails such as spicy margaritas and palomas served with a choice of two tequilas and one mezcal. Nibble on fresh guacamole with crunchy, seasoned tortilla chips or three well-considered tacos to accompany your liquid refreshment. Sunken ceiling panels ensure impeccable acoustics. Equal Parts, Hackney Michael Sager has partnered with Matteo Vaccargiu to open an Italian aperitivo bar in a green tiled-fronted corner spot, a few doors down from the original Sager + Wilde wine bar. It’s an elegant, unfussy space, with plenty of wood panelling, flickering candles and vinyl twirling on the decks. Perch at the window ledge to watch trendy passers-by or bag a spot at the bar to see the team shake and stir signature cocktails in front of an impressive line-up of amaros, aperitivo and bitters. The Flor cocktail combines fino sherry and olive oil vodka with Matteo’s elevated clarification of fresh tomato, basil, chilli and a tiny touch of garlic for a bright, fresh finish, alla liquid bruschetta to evoke the Sardinian coast. The Orange is a concoction of orange wine, Meletti amaro and pear and elderflower syrup, while the ACE makes a refreshing twist on the garibaldi (combining carrot cordial, fresh orange juice, Campari and soda). A seasonal infusion makes its way into a trio of classics; on our visit a strawberry and fig leaf martini combo that brightened the negroni, sbagliato and americano. Nine Lives, London Bridge Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of London Bridge is a cosy oasis of a bar, serving up some of London's best cocktails. Nine Lives has a buzzy atmosphere, balancing the vibe of a live DJ with the volume at just the right level so you can still chat comfortably. Their new cocktail menu is headed up by William Campbell-Rowntree. The Mello cocktail, a mixture of vodka, Cocchi Americano and honeydew was beautifully refreshing. Equally good was the Godfather sour made with bourbon, which had a pleasantly balanced taste. To eat, there's a small but enticing menu from head chef Ramon Ramos, consisting of tacos – from baja to barbacoa – and small plates. We liked the ceviche sampler, which was citrusy and refreshing. This cosy, romantic spot also has a bottleshop, offering takeaway cocktails, and outdoor seating to soak up the sun. Seed Library, Shoreditch Ryan Chetiyawardana's latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. The fifth iteration of the menu showcases ingredient-led drinks in unexpected and unusual forms. KJ Daisy's zippy flavour profile comes from a fermented lime 'ketchup', shaken with Hendrick’s Another gin and the edges softened by raspberry and gentle cola notes from the white cacao. Fans of fermentation can continue the theme with Steel Cut Fizz's koji'd oats with The Botanist gin, Capreolus gooseberry and champagne. The classic Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed – clean and citrusy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Bar snacks include the likes of nocerella olives, spiced nuts and chilli rice crackers - everything you want from a nibble: savoury, salty and crunchy. Analogue lovers can find East London's Diggers Dozen spinning vinyl at the weekend.
Want to know where to go for the best sirloin, the juiciest ribeye and top quality wagyu? Read on for our picks of the best steak restaurants in London.
Want to know where to go for the best sirloin, the juiciest ribeye and top quality wagyu? Read on for our picks of the best steak restaurants in London. From old-school steakhouses to Argentinian classics and modern Japanese grilling, foodies are spoilt for choice with options for the next meat-feast. For more like this, check out our reviews of the best brunch in London, the best outdoor restaurants in London or the best London pubs for food lovers. Best places to eat steak in London Cooper's Cut at Four Seasons Hotel Tower Bridge Set inside the grand former Port of London Authority building, Cooper’s Cut takes its name from Sir Edwin Cooper, the British architect who designed the building in 1922. His work combined scale with detail and the restaurant follows his inspiration: majestic surroundings and cooking that is impressively precise. The centrepiece is Australian executive chef Luke Armstrong’s pride and joy: Japanese hokkaido A4 wagyu fillet. The steak arrives with a golden crust and a deeply succulent interior that all but dissolves as you eat. A quenelle of Kristal caviar and a Pomerol sauce push the classic surf and turf idea somewhere more polished. The wagyu is the star of a succinct, refined lunch that works as a guided tour of what the restaurant does best. We began with an amuse-bouche of Belted Galloway beef tartare and smoked scallop, followed by heritage beetroot with dijon mustard, crème fraîche and merlot vinegar: a bright plate that set the tone. Next came chargrilled Scottish langoustines with saffron and citrus beurre blanc, sweet and lightly smoky from the grill. Dessert was a neat finish: granny smith apple tarte tatin with crème fraîche ice cream. There are plenty of other steaks on the main menu – Angus côte de boeuf and blue grey chateaubriand from the Lake District among them – but the wagyu is the dish that made our eyelashes flutter. cooperscutlondon.com instagram.com/cooperscut Meet Bros, Shoreditch Meet Bros stands out as a fully halal-certified, alcohol-free steakhouse that makes its identity clear from the outset. Here, shared wagyu striploin wagyu (sourced from Australia, where it isn’t fed beer, in keeping with the halal commitment) is the star, offered either with a vibrant house Asian marinade or simply seasoned with salt and pepper — each bite deeply marbled and luxuriously rich, a true showstopper for steak lovers. The menu’s Southeast Asian influences shine, especially in the Thai danok sauce, a punchy, tamarind-laced condiment that cuts through the richness of both the steak and the sticky, tender BBQ lamb ribs. Sides like grilled broccolini with chilli and shallots and a crisp Asian slaw bring freshness and balance. While there’s no wine list, the inventive mocktails — think lychee mojito and the herbal, honeyed Passionita — more than fill the gap. For the best experience, request the Thai danok with your steak, regardless of your marinade choice; it’s a versatile, flavour-packed companion. meetbros.co.uk MR PORTER, Park Lane Bone-in fillet isn’t a cut you see often, trimmed and portioned as the steak usually is into neat medallions. But MR PORTER (the Amsterdam steakhouse downstairs at the Hilton Park Lane) makes the bone a virtue, and that small decision changes the experience. The 450g cut arrives thick and imposing, pink at the centre, the bone lending extra depth to a piece of meat prized for tenderness though not necessarily flavour. MR PORTER took over the former Trader Vic’s space and replaced tiki theatrics with low lighting, deep booths and a central bar that draws a well-dressed crowd. Arrive early to eat, stay late to enjoy the vibes from the resident DJ. A cocktail is essential. We enjoyed the yuzu martini, a sharp foil for the richness of the food. The fillet is one star among many on the meat-led menu, including a mighty tomahawk, a mega 1.2kg Mr Porter and A5 Japanese wagyu. But other dishes have wow factor. Jumbo prawn salad is the most popular, and dover sole meunière was deliciously delicate with brown butter and lemon for contrast. The must-order side dish is the crunchy onion loaf – stacked, crisp, built for pulling apart and sweeping through basil mayo. For dessert, popcorn crème brûlée was a crunchy, creamy revelation, balancing caramelised sugar with sweetcorn custard and a gentle jalapeño warmth. olive tip: to start, head straight for the carpaccio section. Charred mushrooms came wafer thin and lightly dressed; courgette arrived with a shower of Swiss belper knolle cheese, adding salinity and bite. mrportersteakhouse.com Ibai, Smithfield Ibai is a steak restaurant that starts well before the grill. The duo behind it, Nemanja Borjanović and William Sheard, own Mr Txuleta, the wholesale butcher that supplies the restaurant, controlling the beef from farm to table. That means choosing breeds, working directly with farmers, selecting cattle pre-slaughter and ageing the meat on its own terms. Ibai is known for its Galician Blond – including the first UK herds, in Wales and Bedfordshire – but there’s also a focus on rare native breeds and older animals. It’s beef with a backstory, and it tastes like it. The room matches the ambition. High ceilings, polished stone and firelight frame the open grill, giving the place a sense of occasion without stiffness. We began lightly. Cantabrian anchovies slicked with arbequina olive oil slip down in seconds, before moving on to house favourite Croque Ibai, a gloriously indulgent sandwich of carabinero prawn, boudin noir and Tomme de Brebis, crisped and molten, both salty and sweet. But the pull is the open grill. Ask to be shown the board, heaving with slabs of sirloin and rib, cut thick before being cooked over embers. We went for Galician Blond, a six-year-old animal, its meat aged for 51 days: deeply flavoured, with a savoury sweetness, buttery textured but with a satisfying drool-inducing chew – a true connoisseur’s steak. Beef-fat fries and braised leeks with mustard played their roles, anchovy and herb salsa added sharpness to cut through the rich meat. Dessert kept faith with the Basque thread. The pain perdu – crisp, rum-scented – was reason enough to stay. olive tip: Hand yourself over to sommelier Hugh to steer you through an ever-changing by-the-glass list – from classic European benchmarks to more left-field bottles. ibai.london Vivat Bacchus, Farringdon Ever tried a zebra stokkie? In Afrikaans it means ‘little stick’, a type of biltong, the air-dried cured meat that’s a South African classic. Zebra, along with beef, is part of the theatre of the biltong trolley at Farringdon steakhouse Vivat Bacchus, rolled to your table and sliced to order. It’s powerful with spices and vinegar, chewy and deeply satisfying. The trolley is the star starter, a tongue-tingling warm-up for the main attraction, the heritage braai selection. The equivalent of a UK barbecue, braai is more than a cooking method – it’s an event for bringing people together over food. The braai here offers a well-balanced spread of meats cooked over flame, designed for two to share. Juicy sirloin, meltingly soft cola-cooked pork belly, peppery boerewors (sausages) and ostrich fillet. If you’re not familiar with steaks from the big bird, think venison – incredibly lean and mildly gamey. Pot-baked mealie bread, fiery chakalaka relish and sweet-spicy monkey gland sauce are the go-to accompaniments, along with “flippen lekker” (very tasty) chips. As you’d expect, South African wines dominate the list, so ask your sommelier to match a glass with each dish. Finish with peppermint tart, a creamy dessert like a tiramisu. vivatbacchus.co.uk The Guinea Grill, Mayfair At one of Mayfair’s most characterful pub-restaurants, the meaty mains beg to be experienced, so we plumped for beef, Guinness and oyster Pie (to share) to kick off proceedings (though the devilled kidneys on toast, and seared scallops on the table next to us, looked very appetising). Topped with a crispy oyster and melted cheese, it set the tone for the next grand entrance – a magnificent côte de boeuf, presented at the table before being flamed on the grill and served with brandy peppercorn sauce, crispy layered pancetta confit potatoes and parmesan-creamed sweetcorn. For pudding, the crème brûlée crackled satisfyingly under the spoon, while the bread and butter pudding was surprisingly light and fluffy. Olive tip: If you’re visiting in the evening, try to skip lunch to take full advantage of the meaty fare. As well as starters, salads and mains, add-ons include lamb cutlet, calf's liver, lamb kidneys, black pudding and haggis. theguinea.co.uk Goodman, Mayfair At Goodman, the cut is everything. Each day begins in the basement ageing room where chefs inspect racks of prime beef, selecting the finest cuts to feature on The Cut specials board – a roll call of sirloin, ribeye, T-bone and fillet, sourced from the UK, USA, Australia and beyond. The star is a 75-day-aged Angus Pure Breed from the Lake District: deep, gamey and minerally, with intense beefiness. Diners get to choose not only the cut but the size of their steak – whether you’re in the mood for a modest 250g or a mighty kilo. Each one is cooked to your liking over red-hot 400C coals that leave a toffee-like crust and juicy centre. The Mayfair dining room, opened in 2008 (the first of three), hums with a clubby but not stuffy confidence – all dark leather, low lighting and cosy corners. Along one wall, regulars' engraved steak knives sit in a glass-fronted cabinet like prized trophies. Starters include crispy, fist-sized prawn tempura, and sweet and briny crab on warm brioche toast. From the side, truffled mac and cheese is luxurious, spinach sings with garlic, Josper-roasted onions are sticky and dark, and triple-cooked chips are made to dredge through the creamy béarnaise. Get to know the sommelier – they’ll match your palate and your steak, possibly with a lush American pinot noir or a more classic French Bordeaux. goodmanrestaurants.com Dorian, Notting Hill Relaxed and friendly, Dorian has polish but no pretence. Smart enough for a birthday, casual enough for a Tuesday night, it proudly boasts of its place in the heart of the neighbourhood. But for all its clubbable vibe, what makes it a destination is the steak. Aged for 60 days on-site, Dorian offers three cuts, cooked with mesmeric care over wood fire: sirloin on the bone, rib-eye on the bone and the grand T-bone. Each arrives richly barked, exteriors crisped and as smoky as embers, interiors blushing and butter soft. It’s dramatic, theatrical cooking – made to share, made to marvel at. But this isn’t a one-dish restaurant. Rostis are fried to a deep gold and topped with crab and broad bean, or langoustine and pea. Or, if you’re feeling especially decadent, caviar. For starters, a plate of white asparagus is a snappable delight, tempura St George’s mushrooms deliver umami nuggets, and the succulent ibérico pork is complemented by noisily crunchy strips of deep-fried pig’s ear. Triple-cooked Pink Fir potatoes deserve their own accolade, shrapnel skins, fluffy flesh, built for scooping up whatever’s left on your plate. Desserts are great – go for salted milk flan with a scoop of coffee and dark chocolate sorbet. But, really, you’re here for the incredible steak. dorianrestaurant.com Cut at 45 Park Lane, Mayfair As you would expect, Cut at 45 Park Lane – culinary heavyweight Wolfgang Puck’s fine dining steakhouse – wants you to experience the best cuts from the world’s best steaks. To make the most of an experience in this sleek, polished dining room, choose The Taste of Cut: a trio of British grass-fed sirloin, Australian wagyu and Japanese A5 wagyu, each carefully cooked and clearly distinct. The sirloin is bold and beefy; the Australian richly marbled; while the A5, almost white with silky fat, barely needs a knife. It’s an impressive way to understand what top-grade beef really tastes like. Wolfgang may be best known for revolutionising Californian fine dining with Spago and feeding the stars at the Oscars, but at Cut you feel that steak is his passion. Head chef Ibrahim cooks over open flames, resting and flaming to deliver smoky perfection, perfectly paired with dry Italian red wine barbaresco. Small bites include miso cones of spicy tuna tartare, bite-sized, meltingly soft wagyu sliders, and sweet and fluffy crab and lobster rolls. If you have room for dessert, share a burnt Basque cheesecake with Hugh Lowe Farm strawberries, the freshness of the fruit a perfect foil for the delicately creamy pudding. dorchestercollection.com Macellaio RC, various locations The tagline of this collection of six Italian restaurants is ‘the butcher’s theatre’. Genoan restaurateur Roberto Costa’s original South Kensington branch is a homely ‘butcher with tables’, while the glamorous Soho outpost focuses on the theatre butchery. Executive chef Lello Favuzzi’s menu starts with lardo that melts onto sourdough with honey and hazelnuts, smoked, aged tuna bresaola with heirloom tomatoes and Tropea onions, and the signature steak tartare. The latter is excitingly prepared tableside on a smart wooden trolley – bowls of chopped Fassona steak, capers, onions, gherkins and anchovies are mixed with cognac, Worcestershire sauce and mustard, with an egg yolk balanced on top. The main event is the grill. House-butchered T-bones, ribeyes and sirloins are dry-aged for seven to nine weeks, and there’s a choice between grass-fed British, lean Fassona from Piedmont and a Bavarian breed that boasts intensely flavoured fat. Pair with a Seven Hills negroni, a bottle from the exceptional Italian wine list and finish with a tiramisu, built at the table, or homemade hazelnut gelato. macellaiorc.com Zoilo, Marylebone This intimate bistro has been serving regional Argentinian classics for over a decade. The upstairs dining room is a cocoon of elegance – exposed brick and wood panelled walls strung with black and white photographs of life in Buenos Aires, flickering tea lights on white tablecloths, deep red leather banquettes and chequered flooring, with a heavy velvet curtain wrapped around the door to keep out the cold. A wooden bar is generously stocked with aperitifs and spirits to make cocktails while impressive vintages line shelves behind. Chef Patron Diego Jacquet returns to Argentina two to three times a year to source the 250-strong list of wines including Mendoza's prestigious Malbec regions UCO Valley and Vista Flores. Kick things off with house-cured salami, flaky, beef-filled empanadas, provoleta (a semi-hard cheese similar to Italian provolone) melted and topped with almonds and honey, and sea bream ceviche doused in green oil, chia seeds and pickled kohlrabi. Grass-fed, pampas-reared Argentinian steak is the main event, from juicy ‘bife ancho’ rib-eye served with lively tomato and parsley salsa criolla to perfectly pink ‘asado’ flank and Brazilian style picanha cooked sous vide. Order extra-crunchy hand cut Provençal chips and seasonal sides that might include opulent cauliflower cheese layered with peanut butter. To finish, silky smooth crème brûlée is topped with dulce de leche swirled banana ice cream and petits fours include squares of dulce de leche fudge. zoilo.co.uk Flat Iron, Southbank Who can argue with Flat Iron’s motto, “Great steak for everyone”, when £15 is all it costs for a beautifully cooked flat iron steak. It’s no surprise that the crowd spans everyone from young professionals to parents with toddlers in tow. This is the 18th Flat Iron, set just behind the Royal Festival Hall and overlooking Southbank Market Square. Inside, a smart central bar divides a bright, lively front space from a cosier dining room at the back. There’s also a sunny terrace, perfect for relaxed lunches and summer evenings. The signature flat iron steak is the headline act: British-reared beef, expertly seared to a rosy blush and served simply with beef dripping chips, silky creamed spinach and an outrageously indulgent crispy bone marrow mash. Blackboard specials like wagyu keep regulars coming back, while a short, well-curated list of wines, beers and classic cocktails rounds out the offering. Flat Iron skips a formal dessert menu, instead handing out complimentary salted caramel soft serve in a crunchy cone – a small detail that’s part of the charm. Unfussy, reliable and brilliantly executed, Flat Iron really does make great steak democratic. flatironsteak.co.uk Hawksmoor, various locations There are multiple branches of Hawksmoor to choose from across London. The Wood Wharf branch combines its signature British steakhouse flair with a unique waterside location. Situated on a floating pavilion, this restaurant offers stunning views of the City alongside its renowned menu of perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood, and hearty sides. The outdoor terrace is ideal for sipping on classic cocktails while enjoying the serene waterfront atmosphere. Hawksmoor’s dedication to quality and sustainability ensures a memorable dining experience. thehawksmoor.com/locations/wood-wharf/ NIJŪ, Mayfair Experience wagyu and kobe beef grilled to perfection at Japanese restaurant NIJŪ in Mayfair. Endo Kazutoshi, arguably London’s most esteemed sushi master, is behind this new Mayfair grill, with exec chef Chris Golding overseeing the menu day to day. Careful sourcing, luxe ingredients and well-honed kitchen skills create a unique menu inspired by ‘Katei Ryōri’: homecooked, seasonal dishes, some – like dover sole, asparagus and nori butter – served tableside. Wagyu, that most highly-prized beef, is sourced from Japan and England, cooked simply over Japanese charcoal and offered with fresh wasabi and yuzu salsa verde. Beyond the steak offerings, sashimi includes indulgent cuts like otoro (fatty tuna) served classic style or with a contemporary NIJŪ twist – ‘aburi’ (seared) with caviar. Vegetables are treated with equal care, from grilled aubergine with white sesame dressing to spicy spinach with sobacha (buckwheat tea). A sushi counter and glass panel revealing all the kitchen action add to the buzzy atmosphere. The basement Nipperkin bar uses British ingredients, some grown and distilled on site in its hyper-seasonal cocktail list. nijulondon.com Blacklock, various across London While Blacklock’s famous ‘All In’ – a pile-up of seared pork, lamb and beef chops served atop charcoal-grilled flatbread – remains a carnivore’s rite of passage, another must-order is the magnificent beef prime rib chop (choose the size to suit you). Charred and glossy, blushing pink within, it’s a true showstopper, elevated to even greater heights of umami meatiness with house gravy. It’s a dish that feels perfectly in keeping with the dark wood and exposed brick of Blacklock’s Shoreditch branch, tucked inside a Victorian warehouse, buzzing with office workers. Begin with bite-size canapés then choose succulent pig’s head on toast, lifted by sweet, pickled chilli slices. Sides compete for stardom: 10-hour ash-roasted sweet potato, smoky and creamy; sharp kale with parmesan; loudly crunchy beef dripping chips; and silky bone marrow. Try your luck and ask for the secret pie: only 20 are baked each day and they’re not listed on the menu – a celebration of Blacklock’s nose-to-tail philosophy made with handpicked cuts, slow-cooked in Cornish stout and wrapped in thyme-topped shortcrust pastry. To finish, white chocolate cheesecake is like no other you’ve had before, served at your table in great scoops for everyone to grab a spoon and dive into. theblacklock.com Solis, Battersea Solis is the personal product of Ana Gonçalves’ (along with husband Zijun Meng, who together are behind cult favourites TĀ TĀ Eatery and Tou) desire to showcase food from her childhood and challenge the conventional expectations of the steak night. With bold flavour influences from Spain, Portugal, Uruguay and Argentina, Solis is looking to break the mould without breaking the bank. Located right in the heart of Battersea Power Station’s multi-billion-pound restoration and redevelopment, it offers an accessible menu headlined by its signature grilled spatchcock chicken and flat-iron steak, both served with salad, fries and a big side of South American vibrancy. arcadefoodhall.com/solis Fazenda, Shoreditch This might just be the ultimate sharing extravaganza for steak lovers. Fazenda’s Churrasco Experience brings the theatre of the traditional gaucho grill to your table, offering a limitless selection (you can eat as much as you like) of 15 grilled meats, carved from giant skewers by expert passadores. Highlights include picanha (beef rump), sirloin, ribeye, pork belly and fillet, all cooked to medium-rare perfection. This premium south Brazilian restaurant spans two floors in the sleek 100 Bishopsgate Tower and boasts three private dining rooms, an elegant mezzanine lounge and the standalone Fino bar. Start your experience with the Market Table’s fresh salads and sides or opt for Brazilian small plates, such as seafood moqueca (a tomato and coconut stew) or yellowfin tuna with beef cream emulsion. For something extra special, Fazenda’s ‘Share an indulgent cut’ menu features sharing dishes like roasted bone marrow with chimichurri, a one-kilo tomahawk steak dry-aged for 21 days, grilled giant king prawns and a 500g grade 9 wagyu sirloin. To drink, Fazenda specialises in Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean and Uruguayan wines, as well as innovative cocktails from South America. If you still have room, try dulce de leche filled churros or crème caramel layered with chantilly cream and madeira cake. fazenda.co.uk/location/bishopsgate Heliot Steak House, Covent Garden Heliot Steak House, right at the heart of Leicester Square’s famous Hippodrome Casino, overlooking the Grand Casino, has recently been given a refurb. It majors in elevated American cuisine, with buttery prime USDA steaks the stars of the show. Everything here is about the drama, from plumptious prawns presented with billowing clouds of dry ice, to perfectly grilled steaks, sliced at the table and served with oozy mac ‘n’ cheese (with a rarebit-style topping), creamy spinach and rosemary-salted fries. There’s a choice of 120 wines (choose Ramnista Xinomavro, a velvety red from Greece, a perfect partner for red meat). There are also fish, lamb, chicken and pasta dishes, and some vegetarian options. And if you do get lucky on the tables, you might want to splash out on a luxurious Japanese wagyu sirloin. hippodromecasino.com/restaurant-bars-lounges/ The Butcher’s Tap and Grill, Chelsea A meat chamber filled with labelled cuts is the first sign that this is no ordinary boozer. The London outpost of Tom Kerridge’s pub joins the Marlow original in offering superior steaks and sauces: prime bone in ribeye with jalapeño mayo and truffle fries enjoyed in a leather booth feels right in this smart neighbourhood just three minutes from Sloane Square and shopper’s paradise King’s Road. True to its pub roots there are chops, burgers, kebabs and hot dogs, real ales and beer on tap, and sport on the TV screens. Tom has a knack for making everyone welcome, from locals popping by to collect a Friday night takeaway to destination diners and football fans catching the match over a pint or two. thebutcherstapandgrill.co.uk/chelsea Daffodil Mulligan, Shoreditch Chef Richard Corrigan’s partnership with fellow Irishmen John Nugent and Tony Gibney is an unapologetic tribute to Irish craic. The industrial Shoreditch space is modestly decorated with moody portraits of Irish legends – Sinéad O’Connor guides you down the stairs to the basement drinking den; while upstairs is where you’ll find the main restaurant, open kitchen, complete with a wood oven and grill, and oyster bar. Let chef be your guide with six sharing courses and a Gibney’s stout, or work your way around the snacks, small plates, oysters and grill. On the grill, you'll find a selection of steaks using award-winning Shorthorn beef sourced from across Ireland and dry aged in Himalayan salt bricks for 28 days. As well as classic sirloin, flat-iron or cote de boeuf from the grill, the wood oven offers more for meat-lovers from a forerib of beef & bone marrow cheeseburger (served in a beef fat brioche bun) to sugar pit pork and wood-fired whole roast chicken. Many ingredients are sourced from Richard’s own estate in Ireland, Virginia Park Lodge – including smoky, wood-roasted carrots that punch way above their weight. Biscuity champagne and a light, very gluggable muscadet are winners on the wine list – but drinks nerds should explore the cocktails with infused spirits, from jalapeño-infused tequila in a blood orange margarita to chilli Aperol with mezcal, chocolate and orange bitters. daffodilmulligan.com Lurra, Marylebone Tucked away on Marylebone’s pretty (and seriously foodie) Seymour Place, Lurra is a contemporary, sophisticated Basque-inspired restaurant. It’s sister to Donostia, just across the road. There’s more to this trendy joint than its good looks though: ingredients are key. With a meat import business (think 14-year-old Galician Blond, 67-day hung beef) supplying the likes of Kitty Fisher’s and Chiltern Firehouse, and a cellar downstairs housing top Spanish wines (including an incredible Louro from Valdeorras), owners Nemanja and Melody know their stuff. lurra.co.uk The Colony Grill Room, Mayfair With its vintage styling, large booths and striking murals, the Colony pays homage to classic New York grill restaurants. Dishes finished tableside are a big part of chef Ben Boeynaems’ menu, including dover sole meunière with miso butter, theatrically deboned before guests. The sharing wood-grilled tomahawk steak (bone-in ribeye) is a similarly dramatic presentation, carved as it’s served at the table. Deft knife skills maximise the cut’s juiciness. colonygrillroom.com Gaucho, Piccadilly Step through the doors of Gaucho Piccadilly and you step into the original. The flagship that launched a now 20-strong group, this is where the magic started. Dark walls and flickering candlelight – the décor remains familiar just like the head chef Mario, who’s been grilling here for 25 years. That longevity brings serious consistency. Argentinian beef is sourced from farms committed to regenerative practices. The signature cut, churrasco, is a must: spiralled lomo (fillet), chorizo (sirloin), ancho (ribeye) or rump (cuadril), marinated in parsley, lemon, garlic and olive oil, and grilled to perfection. There are elegant starters – crispy prawn chicharrón with sweet-spicy aji amarillo and lime-bright crab tostada – but you’re here for steak and a serious glass of something red. Ask the sommelier for a pairing from the knockout New World wine list, and trust the superb waiting staff – they’re as much part of the institution as the steak. Once the haunt of power lunchers, today it’s shoppers and tourists looking for post West End indulgence. And they find it – topped off with a rich dulce de leche cheesecake crowned with chantilly, hazelnuts and cherries. gauchorestaurants.com STK Steakhouse, The Strand If you like your steak with a side of glamour, STK on The Strand delivers it in style. A buzzing, clubby vibe, a menu built around premium cuts and a sleek central bar make this one of London’s go-to spots for a steak night with extra sparkle. The space feels part steakhouse, part cocktail lounge – dark, dramatic lighting, plush leather booths and a live DJ most evenings. It's a popular choice for celebrations, stylish dinners and anyone looking to combine a serious steak with a lively night out. On the menu, prime cuts of USDA beef can be finished with a range of toppings and crusts, including truffle butter, crab and parmesan, blue cheese and chimichurri. If you’re feeling especially hungry go for the 900g tomahawk, a magnificent cut that’s made for sharing. But steak isn’t the only indulgence: mini wagyu burgers are a luxurious take on a crowd-pleaser, while Mermaid Surf & Turf pairs perfectly cooked steak with seafood. There’s plenty for lighter appetites, too — tuna tartare, roasted halibut and a punchy caesar salad ensure no one’s left behind. The drinks list leans heavily on signature cocktails alongside a robust wine selection. Room for dessert? Share a crunchy apple crumble topped with a scoop of creamy ice cream. stksteakhouse.com Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Islington Best restaurants in Chelsea Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
Best new restaurants in London to visit in 2026
The best new restaurant openings in London, expertly reviewed by the olive team. Keep up to date with the hottest new openings and find out which are not to be missed, plus which dishes to order in each restaurant
Looking for new restaurants in London? We've visited the hot new openings in the capital to experience the restaurant for ourselves to bring you our regularly updated best London restaurants list. Read on for all the best new openings (including some from the end of last year) and we'll be continually adding new restaurant openings for 2026 as they launch, after we've expertly reviewed each one. For more restaurant guides check out our best restaurants in Soho, Covent Garden, Shoreditch and the best restaurants with rooms in the UK. If you want to pull out all the stops, find out the UK's best showstopping restaurants to impress or try the best chef's table experiences in the UK. Best new London restaurant openings 2026 Meet Bros, Shoreditch Most steakhouses serve wine. Meet Bros doesn't, and that's the point. This Malaysian-British collaboration between Palace Butcher Resources and the Serai Group is fully halal-certified and entirely alcohol-free, and it wears both facts as a badge of identity rather than a footnote. The Shoreditch site, neighbouring Legado and Singburi, is the second, following Paddington, and the menu pulls premium beef into a punchy partnershjp with Southeast Asian flavour. We started with pulled duck pancakes – hoisin and crispy chilli oil slicked and loaded with spring onion and cucumber; then sweet spicy chicken wings with Thai danok, the sauce worth knowing about. It's a nam jim style condiment: tamarind for body and sourness, palm sugar, chilli and fish sauce hitting salty and spicy in turn. On grilled meat, it's banging. Mains were a shared wagyu striploin and BBQ lamb ribs. The wagyu (sourced from Australia, where it isn’t fed beer, in keeping with the halal commitment) comes with the option of house Asian marinade or straight salt and pepper. It is an astonishing piece of beef (and, to be fair, a price to match): deeply marbled, a cut that makes you sigh and swoon, flooding your mouth with beefy unctuousness. Lamb ribs are a great companion, sticky, well rendered, soft and generous. Thai danok worked here too, cutting through the richness. Grilled broccolini with chilli and shallots, and an Asian slaw provided the counterpoint. And we must talk about the drinks. There’s no booze but some dazzling mocktails ensured we didn’t miss it. Lychee mojito – lime, lychee, fresh mint and palm sugar – was cooling and fragrant, while the Passionita (passion fruit, rosemary, pineapple and forest honey) brought a more complex, herbal sweetness. Olive tip: ask for the Thai danok alongside your steak, even if you've ordered the house marinade – it works as both sauce and table condiment, and the contrast is great. meetbros.co.uk Idalia at Pillar Hall, Olympia The first thing that hits when you walk into Idalia is the sheer size and drama of the room – a huge, theatrical space filled with tall columns, impressively high ceilings and a stunner of a central circular bar. And yet somehow with clever use of warm lighting, botanical flourishes and gentle acoustics it still manages to feel date-night cosy. The menu from the female-led team is full of crowd-pleasers. We tried a beautifully balanced steak tartare and, from the seafood bar, a delicate crab, coconut and mango salad (the latter served in a pretty Insta-friendly shell plate). Fish is a speciality and the miso-crusted black cod was cooked to pearly, flaky perfection with a deep umami crust. We didn’t need the beef tallow fried chunky chips but they were a lovely addition: crisp, hot and dusted with rosemary salt. Desserts are generous – the light and airy tiramisu, served in a cappuccino cup with a tableside pour of chocolate sauce, would easily feed two. If you fancy a nightcap after dinner, head down to the intimate Pepperbird speakeasy which has a rock ’n’ roll theme in homage to the building’s history as a music venue – there are lots of playful touches like a Hendrix-inspired cocktail served in a ceramic cup crafted in the musician’s likeness. pillarhall.co.uk Tiella, Hackney Dara Klein has been creating flutters in the food world with residencies, a soon-to-launch cookbook and now standalone trattoria, all rooted in traditional Italian home cooking. The buzz is palpable on entering the 1860s building for Sunday lunch, tulips from neighbouring Columbia Road flower market in hand. Designer Herb Palmer has helped breathe new life into the former pub – wood panelling, mounted dressers and a chic bar brightened with coloured glass, decorative wall plates and green-trimmed lamps, plus a sun trap of a terrace out front. Dara and her team cook from the open kitchen in the corner, many of the recipes passed down through generations. From the mains, braised lentils with mozzarella and artichokes come from Dara's father, while her nonna and mother's polpette meatballs have been adapted to create one of the restaurants most talked about dishes, served simply with a hunk of bread to mop up the rich tomato sauce. Don't miss the sprawling chicken schnitzel – balanced with a fresh, crunchy medley of fennel, apple, celery, dill and parsley. To start, ricotta di Romagna is coated in Calabrian chilli and wild honey for a ‘swicy’ hit, while anchovies are marinated Venetian saor style with pickled sultanas, pine nuts and onions, both best paired with sourdough from Italian bakery, Forno. Primi are exceptional – ribbons of hand-rolled, perfectly al dente trie pasta soak up a sweet sauce of tropea onions and datterini tomatoes, balanced with pools of creamy, tangy squacquerone cheese. Cavatelli ears bathe alongside borlotti beans in the soothing stew, and Dara's favourite zuppa imperiale beef shin bone broth is soaked up with parmesan croutons – I will be back to try this when in need of a hug. Amarena cherries dress the chocolate torta caprese for a superb end to a practically flawless meal. tiella.co.uk Reviewed by Alex Crossley Burro, Covent Garden Anything that the Trullo team touches is gold, in my opinion – the Islington restaurant is everything you could want in a neighbourhood Italian, while Padella’s pastas truly live up to their cult status. Having a pre-theatre option from co-owner Conor Gadd is a real treat, this one larger and glossier than its cousins. Burro means butter in Italian, and the dishes are slathered in the stuff – melting pancetta-covered asparagus spears come in pools of peppery butter reminiscent of Padella’s iconic cacio e pepe, while pan-fried half chicken (a must-order sharing main) is dressed with morels and buttery masala sauce, and I have my eye on the monkfish with cannellini beans and mussels for next time. Olive oil more your thing? Dip glistening, squidgy focaccia into pools of it while you sip on a top-notch negroni or zippy rhubarb amaro americano. Primi pastas sing as expected – order one each between starter and main to share amongst the table – the strozzapreti all'amatriciana was the highlight, knobbly guanciale adding depth to the tomato sauce, while fettucine is folded through surprisingly light duck and porcini ragu. For dessert, five springy sugar-coated diddy doughnuts sit atop a tiramisu-inspired sauce for a contemporary take on the classic. trattoriaburro.com Reviewed by Alex Crossley Cometa, Fitzrovia For bold Mexican seafood made for sharing Cometa, the latest from the Carousel collective, brings contemporary Mexican seafood to Charlotte Street with confident ease. It sits comfortably in the old bones of the building yet feels fresh, as though it has already found its rhythm. Terrazzo floors and warm details give the room an inviting glow. Banquettes suit groups, window tables are perfect for two. Come ready to share and order widely. The menu runs from crudos to larger plates, with seafood at its heart. I began with the house margarita and, usually wary of mezcal, was won over. Bright and citrus-led, with a touch of tamarind sweetness and a faint sherbet lift, it was dangerously easy to drink. Prawn ceviche was delicate and sweet, its smoky heat softened by lemon cream and crisp tostadas that appeared generously. Crab chilpachole rice with eel cream was deeply savoury, smoke and warmth in every spoonful. Fried chicken was the standout: shatteringly crisp, juicy within, lifted by agave and fresh mint. There are only 15 portions a day. Ex-dairy sirloin followed, boldly charred and topped with bone marrow fried tortilla and chilli. A caesar salad brought anchovy and parmesan comfort. Dulce de leche crème caramel closed the evening, silky and gently bitter. Technically assured yet relaxed, Cometa pairs flair with generosity. carousel-london.com Reviewed by Lydia Anderson Cooper's Cut at Four Seasons Hotel Tower Bridge Set inside the grand former Port of London Authority building – now the Four Seasons at Tower Bridge – Cooper’s Cut takes its name from Sir Edwin Cooper, the British architect who designed the building in 1922. His work combined scale with detail and the restaurant follows his inspiration: grand surroundings and cooking that is impressively precise. The centrepiece, and the reason to come, is Australian executive chef Luke Armstrong’s pride and joy: Japanese hokkaido A4 wagyu fillet. The steak arrives with a golden crust and a deeply succulent interior that all but dissolves as you eat. A quenelle of Kristal caviar and a silky Pomerol sauce push the classic surf and turf idea somewhere more refined. The wagyu is the star of a concise, elegant lunch that works as a guided tour of what the restaurant does best. We began with an amuse-bouche of Belted Galloway beef tartare and smoked scallop, followed by heritage beetroot with dijon mustard, crème fraîche and merlot vinegar: a simple, bright plate that set the tone. Next came chargrilled Scottish langoustines with saffron and citrus beurre blanc, sweet and lightly smoky from the grill. Dessert was a neat finish: granny smith apple tarte tatin with crème fraîche ice cream. There are plenty of other steaks on the main menu – Angus côte de boeuf and blue grey chateaubriand from the Lake District among them – but the wagyu is the dish that made our eyelashes flutter. cooperscutlondon.com instagram.com/cooperscut Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Bambi 2.0, London Fields James Dye first opened his music-led bar and restaurant in 2023 and has recently refurbed to double its capacity. Playful vibes remain, with contemporary art, a cosy mezzanine space and a large vinyl library at the back, from which DJs spin the decks every evening (plus, on weekends tables are cleared after dinner for dancing). Get up close and personal at the stainless steel counter while you work your way through the menu. Head chef Jamie Thorneycroft takes inspiration from around the world, most notably in the butterflied bream, dressed half and half in parsley and adobo sauce – a firm nod to his visit to Contramar in Mexico City (having tried both myself, this version certainly does the original justice). Kick off as we did with sourdough from neighbouring E5 Bakehouse to scoop up whipped ricotta drizzled in hot honey. Next comes miso trout atop mini blue corn tostadas, crunchy buttermilk fried chicken pieces with Szechuan gremolata and plump Atlantic prawns, still in their charcoaled armour, slathered in peri-peri sauce alongside sweet black garlic aïoli. Our sommelier Francesco recommended a Czech skin contact to complement the latter, my first time trying a wine from the region. The low-intervention wine list includes chilled reds and skin contact aplenty, all served in jazzy bespoke glasses. For dessert on our visit a choice of blood orange sorbet or basque cheesecake catered to post-lunch indulgence as well as a lighter option, to ensure nothing’s holding you back from that martini-fuelled dancefloor come 11pm. bambi-bar.com Reviewed by Alex Crossley Noodle Nova, The Strand Londoners are no strangers to hand-pulled Chinese noodles. Noodle Nova, tucked in a 400-year-old building on the Strand, is that latest kid on the block. Opened by Linhui Hu and Ziqi Wang out of nostalgia for the cooking of their hometown, the restaurant is an homage to Lanzhou, a city in north-west China famous for its hand-pulled beef noodles. Noodles come in all forms at Noodle Nova: you can choose not only between signature toppings (including yuxiang shredded beef and mapo tofu) but also thickness, which come in eight varieties. Though noodles are sure to be the main draw, the stir-fries are where we feel the kitchen shines. The aubergine, green peppers and tomatoes dish is tangy and well balanced, while the shredded beef with Chinese cabbage and glass noodles delivers a satisfyingly spicy kick. Our unassuming star of the show is the san pao tai, a traditional north-western Chinese herbal tea served in a large gaiwan (covered bowl). Brewed with tea leaves, dried fruits and fragrant herbs, this warming drink is a symbol of hospitality in Chinese culture and only grows sweeter with every sip. noodlenova.co.uk Reviewed by Ao Lan Guo Hoppers, Shoreditch For Sri Lankan and South Indian dishes Ten years after the Soho original, Hoppers has its fourth London site at the Tea Building in Shoreditch — and this one acts as a bridge between Sri Lanka and South India, bringing Bangalore, Madurai and Kochi into the mix alongside Colombo and Jaffna. The menu moves between regions. Prawn paniyaram – crisp, golden balls filled with masala prawns – come with a Chettinad rasa for dipping, hot and peppery. Kochi chilli chicken chop arrives in a curry leaf crumb, fried until shattering. Then there’s the crab kari omelette, inspired by Madurai: fluffy, spice-laced egg wrapped around crab, served with flaky thread parotta, podi-coated soft shell crab and a glossy crab gravy for mopping up. It’s the dish that will have you reaching for your phone camera. From Bangalore comes lamb benne dosa – buttery and pliable, wrapped around pulled lamb shoulder masala with sharp pickled onions. The Kerala sizzling fish kari lands theatrically, salmon cooked in banana leaf, aromatic and gently spiced. Alongside it, Lanka chicken kari delivers that familiar red warmth of pandan and lemongrass. The Shoreditch space, designed by Atelier Wren, channels South Indian palaces and Chettiar homes through Hoppers’ tropical-modern lens. It’s louder, more social and encourages ordering across the menu rather than sticking to one region. To drink, we balanced the spice with Hoppers’ signature Toddy Ale and an Arrack Attack highball, bringing Sri Lanka back into focus. olive tip: order across both regions – dosa next to kari, paniyaram next to omelette – to taste how closely Sri Lanka and South India intertwine. hopperslondon.com Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Best new London restaurant openings 2025 Acre, Notting Hill For simple food using quality, in-season ingredients Acre is the little sister to Thomas Straker’s flagship restaurant just a few doors away on the lively Golborne Road in west London. It’s an inviting, corner spot – arriving on a wet winter evening we emerged through heavy velvet curtains into a cosy, warmly lit room that felt a little bit like a snug Paris bistro. You may know Straker from his Insta fame and some of the dishes are already viral hits (like the chilli cheese smashburger, which is on and off the menu). Aside from that, the rest of the concise menu is a beautiful balance of top-notch ingredients and spot-on cooking. Deep-fried crunchy bites of pork belly came with a punchy herb and za’atar sauce for dipping. From the starters we loved the burrata with a salad of thinly shaved fennel and blood orange – creamy, sweet and sharp with little nuggets of caramelised walnuts. A main of pearly, fall-apart cod cooked with white beans and winter tomatoes was comfort heaven. The agnolotti stuffed with ricotta and rainbow chard was a pillowy and light, with a creamy parmesan sauce. We had food envy seeing our neighbours’ mussels with 'nduja (which we’d been recommended but decided against) but there’s always next time. The drinks are also on point – try the sweet/sour yuzu drop cocktail or a glass of complex, savoury nebbiolo by the glass. A nostalgic pudding of vanilla-spiked, creamy custard topped with perfectly poached pink rhubarb was a deliciously simple end to the meal. acre-london.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe Maset, Marylebone For French and Mediterranean sharing dishes Located on Chiltern Street in Marylebone, Maset offers something relaxed and grounded in a polished postcode. It has the feel of a French neighbourhood bistro but the cooking tilts lighter, with Mediterranean touches running through a menu built around small plates and dishes made for sharing. Start with bowls piled high with clams, white wine and parsley, and the silkiest spinach and basil linguine. Then move on to generous plates of iberico pork chop with cannellini beans, winter tomatoes and salsa verde, or the freshest dover sole served with hazelnuts and verbena. The dessert menu is simple but stunning: beautifully dark chocolate mousse with refreshing blood orange, or the perfect citrussy lemon tart with crème fraîche. For a boozy finish, opt for an after-dinner cocktail: the saffron margarita and preserved lemon martini carry the perfect kick. Service here is sleek and warm without being over-attentive – it’s very easy to settle in for the night. maset.london Reviewed by Lily Barclay Gilroy's Loft, Covent Garden For Guinness and seafood Gilroy’s Loft is the cherry on the top of the new Guinness Open Gate Brewery recently opened in the Neal Street area of Covent Garden. Walk in from the outdoor courtyard (where you can grab a casual pint and a pie from pastry legend Calum Franklin) through The Porter’s Table grill and a dedicated lift whizzes you up to a top-floor, light-filled dining room. The atmosphere on a late Friday afternoon is fun and buzzy – the terrace wasn’t open when we visited but will be a draw once the summer months arrive. There’s a large horseshoe bar in the middle of the room which can accommodate walk-ins for those who just fancy a snack and a pint. Exec-chef Pip Lacey (ex Murano and Hicce) has leaned into the classic Guinness and seafood pairing – there are oyster platters and fruits de mer platters of increasing sizes. We decide to start with a selection of three types of oysters (two Irish, one from Guernsey) which came with classic shallot vinegar. It’s almost compulsory to try the Guinness here but if cocktails are more your thing try the Espresso Stoutini, the Guinness reduction giving surprising malty, caramel notes to the drink. There’s more Guinness in the rarebit from the starters, a thick slice of toasted bread piled with an umami, melty cheese topping with lovely crisp edges, served with a pickled carrot and chicory salad and walnut ketchup. Mains carry on the seafood theme. Lobster comes grilled in the half shell with a deeply savoury brown and pine nut butter, and a dish of perfectly flaking tender hake has a seasonal side of chargrilled sprouts with silky velouté. Crunchy golden fries with seaweed mayo were a great side. For dessert a must try is the blood orange mousse with Guinness ice cream: malty, sweet and savoury – a real revelation. opengatelondon.guinness.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe Barang, Borough Market For big Cambodian flavours Tom Geoffrey’s smoky, herb-heavy Khmer-inspired menu is a symphony of a sharing experience, drawing on the chef’s years visiting Cambodia, delivered with the panache he honed at Kiln. Every flavour is amplified, working in harmony with myriad textures. Sharp is the way to start: a Kampot gin martini alongside a Carlingford oyster dressed with Koh Kong mignonette. The oyster, clean and saline, the mignonette bringing a hit of acidity, brought our tastebuds to attention for the sharing plates to come. From there a diver scallop, wallowing in melted tamarind brown butter, was sweet, sour and crunchy, topped with shards of pig’s ear crackling. Laab of venison – savoury, aromatic minced meat salad, enriched with pork fat and Khmer spices – is scoop-ably loose, perfect for piling into fresh lime leaves. Its richness is offset by stir-fried winter greens with pork jowl, served alongside bright citrus fruit with pear, bitter leaves and shrimp floss. From the grill comes the drama. Fragrant whole red mullet, cooked in banana leaf, torn apart and dipped into Kep sauce with fistfuls of herbs. Then the hero of the experience: bone-in sirloin – thick, juicy, charred, served with bone marrow and prahok dripping, plus a sharp chilli relish to keep it balanced. Dessert finishes the meal with freshness – pineapple and galangal sorbet topped with candied nuts and lime leaf meringue: fragrant and refreshing. olive tip: book early to bag a table with a view of the pass, then grab a beer from the downstairs bar at The Globe Tavern and enjoy the theatre. baranglondon.com Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Huǒ, Belisize Village For an extensive pan-Asian menu Bright, airy and fun, Huǒ is a venue to come to with friends and family. There’s an extensive pan-Asian menu of good-sized servings, so sharing is the way to go – the more of you there, the more you can try. The range of choice means that there will be something for everyone, no matter their chilli rating preference, and several dishes can be had with tofu rather than meat. Start with classics like siu mai, lettuce wraps and daikon cakes, and then move on to pad thai (excellent), steamed seabass with ginger and garlic, and crispy shredded chilli beef or a massaman curry. Cocktails range from classic to those with an Asian flavour twist (alcoholic or not) and there’s a lovely bar so you could pop in for a drink and some noodles for a more low-key night out. There’s also private dining space if you’ve got a special meal to host. This is the second Huǒ to open: if you are nearer Chelsea then there's one your end of town too. nw3.huo.london Reviewed by Lulu Grimes Brasserie Constance, Fulham For faultless classics with a modern British edge, served with Thames views Set on the first floor of Fulham Pier (next to Fulham football club), Brasserie Constance has the polish of a grand hotel dining room but with an easy-going brasserie hum. Floor-to-ceiling river views (and a terrace in warmer weather) set the scene for confidently updated classics, beautifully made pastry and comforting mains. The name nods to Constance Spry, and ‘coronation’ notes pop up across the menu in clever, not too literal ways. We began with snacks of anchovy ‘fingers’ in crisp, immaculate pastry, then lamb and mint skewers that somehow tasted like a whole roast dinner in miniature. Smoked haddock croquettes arrived hot and rich, more luxe fishcake than bar snack. Coronation flavours made a cameo in a chicken pâté en croûte (a real flex of the kitchen’s pastry skill), followed by a light, flaky crab vol-au-vent slicked with a vibrant coronation remoulade. Mains were generous: skate came dressed in brown butter spiked with lime, lovage and capers, while a perfectly cooked pork chop was carved from the bone and brightened with blood orange and bitter leaves. From the sides we ordered fries which were everything they should be, and broccoli with hazelnuts and anchovy. Desserts kept the classical theme going, a light rhubarb savarin and a molten chocolate ale cake with malt ice cream. We went in the evening but if you go for lunch ask for a table by the windows for peak river views, and there’s also a great value set lunch Tuesdays to Fridays. brasserieconstance.com Reviewed by Barney Desmazery Belly Bistro, Kentish Town For modern Filipino fare Bistro vibes meet Filipino flavours in this charming neighbourhood spot. The room is cosy and warm with white tablecloths, soft lighting and gentle acoustics – remarkably for somewhere so compact, you won’t be listening in on your neighbours’ conversation. We started with a round of cocktails from the short, fun menu: a classic negroni softened with vanilla notes from pandan and a sweet, sour and fruity pineapple and tamarind margarita. Our server happily talked us through the menu, explaining the more unfamiliar dishes and recommending some of the big hitters. Scallops were prettily presented in half-shell bowls – thin slices, cured and bathed in a light creamy coconut sauce with tiny flavour pops of basil oil and fiery chilli. Our early table meant we could try the famous tempura cod pandesal (which regularly sells out). A chunky tranche of cod in a crisp, light batter served in a bun with American cheese and salmon roe tartar, it was a textural delight, like a posh Filet-O-Fish. There’s a selection of wagyu steaks (priced by weight and cut) – we chose the rib eye and it came medium-rare, perfectly seared but buttery soft in a deep, savoury soy and citrus sauce (and do get the crunchy beef fat fries to mop up the sauce). Wine is from mostly small low-intervention vineyards with plenty by the glass: we tried a delicious crisp German riesling and a juicy chilled red from Lebanon. If you can fit it in don’t miss the frozen custard profiterole with patis (Filipino fish sauce) caramel – we were a bit dubious about the combination but the balance of sweet and salty was perfect, and we kept going back until there was nothing left. A fitting, fun and surprising end to the dinner. Neighbourhood gem is often overused as a description but Belly Bistro really ticks all of the boxes. bellylondon.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe Labombe, Mayfair For Michelin-starred à la carte dining that feels genuinely relaxed (but still seriously polished) Labombe sits in the corner of the COMO Metropolitan London with its own street entrance, so it feels like a standalone Mayfair wine bar rather than a hotel restaurant. The room is pared-back but plush – warm woods, soft lighting and an open kitchen that keeps the atmosphere lively – and the cooking is modern European with the occasional wink to nose-to-tail. It’s just earned a Michelin star. The menu is à la carte and built for grazing, snacks, starters, grills and a few generous mains. We started with the popular hot tongue bun – thinly sliced tongue stacked in toasted brioche with sharp pickles – essentially a very posh hot dog. Duck heart and cherry skewers were the bolder follow-up, the hearts wrapped in melting lardo and lifted by lightly pickled fruit. Hand-rolled pici pasta came glossed in a rich madeira and mushroom sauce, while seabass crudo was brightened with orange ponzu and a pleasing, fermented anchovy funk. Mains were more comforting, a plate-sized veal schnitzel and meaty chunks of monkfish with coco beans in glossy chicken sauce. We were too full for pudding but our neighbouring table’s rhubarb frangipane tart had us plotting a return. labombe.co.uk Reviewed by Barney Desmazery Poons, Somerset House For home-cooked Chinese food You should approach the Poon’s menu with a game plan in hand, it’s easy to get distracted unless you’ve done your homework, especially if dining as a twosome. Pick wontons or claypot or chicken, or, if you are lunching, the daily congee or noodles and go all in, the rest of the menu can wait for another day. If you have a choice of seating then the bar will give you plenty to observe – but wherever you end up this is a cosseting, pretty, elegant space that manages not to be slightest bit stuffy. Amy Poon started her business with an online dumpling dispatch business she called a ‘wontoneria’ and the same silky wontons are available at Poon’s: order the whole menu of pork, prawn, chicken and veg all slicked with chilli oil and a side of crunchy house pickles, and you’ll die happy. For the next visit choose white-cut poussin with spring onion ginger and chilli oil, or the wind-dried meat claypot rice alongside boiled peanuts (yes, delicious) and silken tofu with avocado and diced century eggs, and you’ll have had a completely different style of meal. Drink delightful small-batch teas from China and Taiwan (worth it for the tabletop tea dispenser alone) and a truly lovely selection of wines both chosen by Amy’s husband Michael Mackenzie. poonslondon.com Reviewed by Lulu Grimes Dim Sum Library, Covent Garden For innovative dim sum London isn’t short of fantastic places to eat dim sum but Dim Sum Library brings a particular kind of Hong Kong polish to Long Acre. Aqua Restaurant Group’s new international outpost has settled neatly into Covent Garden’s all-day rhythm – somewhere you can drop in for lunch, stretch things into afternoon tea or head pre-theatre for tea-themed cocktails. We went in dim sum first. The signature wagyu beef puff is the dish to swoon over: crisp, flaky pastry with a rich black pepper filling that’s light yet indulgent. Dan dan xiao long bao comes with a little jeopardy – delicate dumpling skins hold a spicy broth that requires care with the chopsticks. Black truffle har gau are plump with prawn sweetness, while the black truffle crispy skin chicken has skin so thin it cracks like glass. If you love heat, order dai-ching Sichuan chicken, mouth-tingling with chilli intensity. Then cool a little with slippery, aromatic cheung fun filled with roasted pork, spring onion and coriander. Beyond the baskets, there are larger Cantonese classics – black cod, sweet and sour pork – but dim sum is the main focus, skilfully showcased by deft chefs in the open-plan kitchen that runs the length of the vast, buzzy room. Dessert is worth saving room for. The classic egg tart has impossibly short, buttery pastry, while the oolong crème brûlée is soft, creamy and gently perfumed. dimsumlibrary.co.uk Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Cafe Kowloon, London Fields For contemporary Cantonese dining Hot on the toes of its noodle bar opening, Wonton Charlie's, the team behind Mr Bao has launched a contemporary Cantonese evening spot through the back, inspired by the fast-paced buzz of Hong Kong (from where co-owner Frank Yeung's dad hails). We sat at the glossy tiled counter so we could watch the chefs work the charcoal grill, while the adjacent dining room has a real vibe with a neon-lit bar and swishy curved booths, larger tables complete with lazy susans for sharing-style dishes. Kick off with on-trend sipping cocktails, a lime leaf delicately perched on the white lady offering a fragrant hit. Snacks include fish ball skewers in a light, fragrant curry sauce, tinned dace and black beans whipped into a cream cheese dip, and beef tendons two ways: puffed up like crackers and soy-marinated for deep umami results. On to the sharing highlights – lo bak go (turnip cake) garnished with crispy Chinese-style sausage and prawn toast, its bread base custom designed by E5 Bakehouse, topped with a thick layer of prawn and sesame seeds, deep-fried and sliced into soldiers alongside crispy prawn heads to dip into spring onion chill oil. There are two larger sharers: whole steamed sea bass looked fabulous but we were tempted by the Cantonese-style chickens twirling on the spit. Half a chicken, foot and all, comes doused in ginger sauce, Szechuan salt on the side, best paired with sesame-sautéed cabbage. The Hong Kong french toast is another winner (spot a theme?) – two thick slices of bread filled with a silky peanut crème patissière then deep-fried to ensure a crisp yet surprisingly light finish. cafekowloon.co.uk Reviewed by Alex Crossley Daka Daka, Mayfair For modern Georgian and natural wine Georgia is the world’s oldest wine-producing country, with 8,000 years of viticulture woven into its culture – and DakaDaka on Heddon Street puts that heritage front and centre. This modern Georgian restaurant and natural wine bar comes from Giorgi Mindiashvili and chef-patron Mitz Vora, with a list of more than 100 bottles curated by Honey Spencer, one of the UK’s most influential sommeliers and a leading voice in natural wine. We started, naturally, with an amber wine fermented on skins in the Georgian tradition: textured, savoury and a perfect match for the food. The kitchen, led by head chef Adrian Hernandez Farina, cooks over charcoal and a wood-fired hearth, and the menu leans into Georgia’s most defining dishes. We began with lobio – a kidney bean hummus slicked with ajika chilli crisp – earthy and smoky, made for scooping. Then came the khinkali, hand-folded soup dumplings served steaming hot. The iberico pork pluma and aged beef versions arrived with cracked black pepper and a burst of slurpable broth inside, the kind of dish that makes you slow down. From the grill, kababi skewers brought smoke and spice, while penovani (flaky, cheese-filled pastry) was rich and moreish. We moved on to shkmeruli, roast chicken in a confit garlic sauce, glossy and deeply savoury. Dessert kept things Georgian too. Napoleon, the regional mille-feuille, came layered with dulce de leche cream and caramel – delicately crisp and not overly sweet. Olive tip: ask the knowledgeable team to guide you through the amber wines by the glass alongside the khinkali: it’s the quickest way to understand what DakaDaka is really all about. instagram.com/dakadaka.london Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Plaza Khao Gaeng, Borough Yards For fiery southern Thai cooking Set under the railway arches that flank Borough Market, this fun spot brings the energy of a raan khao gaeng – the informal canteens that pop up on street corners and markets across Thailand. The high-ceilinged room is breezy and buzzy with a quirky, eclectic style: stainless steel tables, zingy pops of colour, retro Thai movie posters and restaurant signs all add to the atmosphere. Pre-visit we’d read a lot about the heat level of some of the southern Thai dishes and our server was keen to make sure we didn’t go in blind. She helpfully marked up our menu with dots (one for a mild dish, three for fiery), recommended a couple of must-order dishes and we chose accordingly. A Paricha margarita eased us into the heat zone – mango infused tequila and kumquat liquor with a kick of fresh Thai chilli served alongside an appetiser plate of miang pla: betel leaves to be wrapped around spicy sausage, dried fish and crunchy galangal floss to make a herbal, tangy mouthful. The yam strawberry salad was a refreshing sweet/salty surprise – strawberries in a punchy dressing, topped with a sprinkling of the tiniest translucent fish and coconut. From the curries, the gaeng massaman neua was deeply comforting – big chunks of beef, slow cooked in a rich spiced coconut sauce with hunks of potato to soak up all of that fragrant curry. Gung pad prik gaeng sator (tiger prawns stir-fried in red curry paste) brought some of that notorious heat but balanced it well with coconut cream. We kept the heat at bay with a icy glass of Singha beer, served in a chunky frozen glass tankard. Or if you’re in a crowd there’s the option to order a three-litre beer tower with your own tap – a fun playful touch for a very fun spot. plazakhaogaeng.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe Sartoria Launcestone Place, South Kensington For a date night deserving of a white tablecloth Set between the bustle of Kensington High Street and the quieter elegance of Gloucester Road sits Sartoria Launceston Place. It’s a restaurant negotiating several identities at once: Regency stucco houses on one side, galleries and traffic on the other. Inside, though, it’s clear about what it wants to be. This is Milanese cooking, done with confidence and restraint. Sartoria Launceston Place is the younger sister to the original Sartoria on Savile Row and it carries that same sense of polish and tradition, just loosened slightly for this corner of west London. The room is all softness and polish. Banquette seating, white tablecloths and plenty of tucked away corners give it an easy sense of comfort, while still feeling smart. It’s an obvious choice for a date, though there are larger tables too, should the evening stretch into something more sociable. Being part of the Terence Conran family shows, not loudly, but in the calm assurance of the space. The menu follows the familiar Italian rhythm: snacks and breads, antipasti, primi, secondi and sides. I drank a peach bellini, sweet and balanced, with a gentle floral lift. Calamari arrived shatteringly crisp, paired with a chilli jam carrying just enough heat. Tuna tartare and beef carpaccio made a pleasing contrast: the tuna soft and buttery, glossed with vivid basil oil; the carpaccio deeply beefy, brightened by the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes. For my primi, I chose the calamarata: generous and seafood-rich, mussels scattered through the pasta, red prawns offering small bursts of sweetness. Fillet steak followed, perfectly rare and lounging in a pool of creamy peppercorn sauce, so good we wished the plate had lingered a moment longer. We kept sides simple with sautéed spinach, its slight bite cutting cleanly through the richness. Tiramisu finished things, served from a large bowl at the table. It was exactly what you hope for: soft, balanced and quietly indulgent. Sometimes that’s more than enough. Service is warm and attentive, perhaps a little formal for some, but in keeping with the room and the setting. sartoria-launcestonplace.co.uk Reviewed by Lydia Anderson Motorino, Fitzrovia For modern London-Italian fare Modern and open, Stevie Parle’ and Luke Ahearne’s Italian-inspired bar-restaurant is a space for all occasions – quick lunches, group meals or cosy dinners. Booths line the walls, while bigger tables keep sight of the buzzy open kitchen. It’s a place you can talk without being overheard, or laugh without annoying your neighbours. We started with Moto Classic martinis, then tore into springy rosemary-scented focaccia, complemented by crisp, acidic pickles. From the starters, delica pumpkin with stracciatella, candied hazelnuts and radicchio moved comfortably between sweet, creamy and bitter. But the dish that defined the meal was the agnolotti carbonara. Each small pinched pasta pocket was filled with a classic pecorino and yolk-rich carbonara, and topped with salty bites of guanciale. The fun comes from eating it whole, as it bursts between your teeth. Clever and deeply satisfying. We’d heard about chef-owner Stevie’s Wildfarmed steaks from his own herd but, as tempted as we were, went another way. An old spot chop, sliced into slabs, was juicy and beautifully cooked, where the pink becomes blush, the rich meat cut through by mustard fruits and apple. Cornish blonde ray followed, robust and flake-apart, with a shellfish sauce that added depth without dulling the fish. Add a couple of glasses of the light Burgundy pinot noir and you have a perfectly balanced lunch. motorino.london Reviewed by Keith Kendrick Island, Kings Cross For elevated surf and turf Island takes the concept of surf and turf, and adds two cult chefs - Tom Brown (on surf) and Brad Carter (on turf) – to create a unique and playful menu. Although they aren’t cooking here day to day there’s some serious skill behind the open grill that lends a beautifully smoky edge to dishes. The dining room occupies the top floor of buzzy Mare St Market – it’s a big space but the cosy velvet-lined booths, banquette seating and chandelier-covered ceiling manage to make it warm and welcoming. We kicked off with a lamb and clam skewer – chunks of lamb belly, the fat rendered crispy and smoky, topped with tiny salty clams. Not listed on the menu but recommended by our server were seaweed flatbreads, puffed and golden with the edges almost like fried bread. We shared a whole grilled john dory which came doused in caper-spiked café de paris butter, the sweet flesh falling of the bone. An aged dairy ribeye was served with a deep umami version of peppercorn sauce and in place of chips little crunchy ‘turf’ roasties dusted with bone marrow powder (we also got the surf version dusted with mussel powder). A Bogtrotter-style layered chocolate cake to share finished us off – rich and dark with a shiny chocolate glaze, it was a perfect end to the meal. island-restaurants.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe 74 Charlotte St by Ben Murphy, Fitzrovia For modern European 74 Charlotte Street by Ben Murphy sees the chef (who ran the kitchen at Launceston Place to great acclaim) in his first solo spot. The room is calm and elegant: coming in from a rainy winter evening the golden light and a warm atmosphere was immediately welcoming, as was the beautiful crescent-shaped cocktail bar where we kicked off with an icy, citrussy yuzu gimlet and a French 75. Such is the commitment to a perfect cocktail that my drink was decanted into a fresh frosty glass halfway through to keep it chilled. Don’t skip the bread – a pillowy loaf of tear-apart milk bread served with a cube of beurre noisette and a dish of hummus with vivid green pumpkin seed oil was just gorgeous. We loved the tender butter poached lobster tail with a tartlet topped with tiny discs of pumpkin to look like fish scales, and the iberica presa pork served perfectly pink with tiny grilled baby gem, carrot purée and a savoury jus – each dish looking like a little work of art. The wine list has some interesting by the glass options, with a Turkish sauvignon blanc being a particular surprise. Desserts are fun – there’s a retro mint green ice cream trolley with a seasonal flavour (mince pie on our visit) and a lovely chocolate tart, dense and rich with crisp chocolate pastry and hazelnut praline. 74charlottestreet.com Reviewed by Janine Ratcliffe Ria's, Soho For deep-dish Detroit pizza Ria’s is a cosy, laid-back spot selling fluffy Detroit-style pizza and natural wines. It's perfect for intimate dates and candle-lit catch-ups, full of charm and character. The latest Soho site is snug yet elegantly furnished, building on everything that made the Notting Hill original a hit, with exciting new slices and a sultry wine cave. Ria’s ferments its dough for up to 72 hours, which gives it a deeper flavour and a deliciously chewy crust. Deep-dish pizza is filling but the pies at Ria’s never feel too much. Our favourite flavours were the House Pie and the Soho Chilli Crisp. The first had a red sauce base and a lip-smacking combination of ricotta, basil and lemon drizzle. The latter was laden with ’nduja, Lao Gan Ma crispy chilli oil, pickled shallots, spring onions and aged parmesan – tongue-tingling and tangy. There is a great range of natural wine to sip alongside your slice at Ria's: we enjoyed a glass of Orange de Rias for its tropical brightness, and a glass of Herrigoia – a crunchy, easy-going red with tart cherry notes. There's also a small but sharp cocktail list, bottled beer and a good range of soft drinks. If you’ve got room for dessert, treat yourself to a deep-fried Mars bar with soft serve vanilla ice cream. Sprinkled with a little bit of sea salt, it really is the ultimate treat. rias.world/soho Reviewed by Helen Salter 2210 by NattyCanCook, Herne Hill For reimagined Caribbean food As a Brixton resident I was extra excited about this opening. The Clink project at HMP Brixton inspired Nathaniel Mortley to turn his life around, launching a social media channel which led to residencies and now his permanent home in Herne Hill. Though born and raised in Peckham, Natty’s heritage is Bajan, Jamaican and Guyanese, thus he spotlights flavours and ingredients from the region in his elevated dishes. We kicked off by dunking grilled roti triangles into whipped scotch bonnet butter. Next came crispy spring rolls stuffed with ackee and saltfish, and pork belly with crackling trim, spiced jus and puddles of scotch bonnet mayo. I recommend sharing the hearty mains, all served with a choice of aromatic jollof rice or spiced rice and peas. There’s a sophisticated take on jerk chicken with mango and pineapple salsa, a much talked-about lamb rump with tamarind jus, and pan-seared spiced duck breast served with a show-stealing confit leg croquette. My highlight was whole brill lifted with a lightly spiced plantain velouté, pickled plantain cubes and vibrant coriander pesto. Don’t miss deep-fried apple crumble for dessert, presented in croquette form encasing spiced, pickled apple, with coffee chantilly cream and basil oil crème anglaise to lift. Cocktails pack a punch – signature rum punch is a popular choice, while margaritas are laced with scotch bonnet, and negronis infused with tangy sorrel. It’s a family affair – Natty's delightful godmother Cecilia was our server, his mum is his accountant and an old school friend helps out front of house. This, paired with the throwback soundtrack causing us to wiggle along in our plush grey chairs, ensures that good vibes prevail. I’m already planning a trip back for the Sunday roast, with the promise of scotch chimichurri roasties, followed by a brisk walk in neighbouring Brockwell Park. 2210bynattycancook.com Reviewed by Alex Crossley ALTA, Soho For sophisticated northern Spanish cuisine There’s a focus on northern Spanish cuisine at this large, sophisticated addition to Soho’s Kingly Court. The two-floor space combines industrial warehouse features (large windows, exposed ceilings) with earthy touches – rough stone walls, textured wood and soft lighting. At the helm is Rob Roy Cameron, a chef well versed in the region thanks to years as Albert Adria’s right-hand man. We were advised to order four to five snacks and starters to share between two. The highlight was a set of five rich, smoked Txistorra pork sausages charred on the grill and doused in aged PX vinegar, closely followed by a striking sardine and wine-soaked raisin empanada neatly encased in a puff pastry blanket, the fish head and tail peeking out for show. Sharing mains are cooked on the wood-fired open grill, providing a theatrical focal point on the restaurant’s ground floor. Think 35-day aged sirloin and ribeye, pork chops and Basque classic turbot. Must-order salt-baked Charlotte potatoes are finished in the pan, topped with a disc of mojo verde butter that slowly melts into the hot, crispy flesh. Desserts are by no means an afterthought – finish with dark chocolate ganache lifted with olive oil and salt, topped with sourdough ice cream and charred Italian meringue. The drinks menu is strong – Basque 75 is a pétillant combination of txakoli, oak-aged vodka, verjus, orange blossom and oloroso sherry, while a considerable selection of vermouths and sherry are a welcome feature alongside natural wines. alta-restaurant.com som saa, Shoreditch For Thai food After a fire devastated its kitchen early in 2025, som saa has reopened with its same regional Thai authenticity and buzzy vibes, but with a few new angles and a bit more bar-snack energy – recalibrations the team introduced after months to reflect and refresh. We started where the menu now gently nudges you to start: the nibbly bits. Tua phrik krob — deep-fried cashews with makrut lime leaf and dried chilli — are toasty, fragrant and entice you to keep reaching back into the bowl. Nang gai thort, crisp chicken skin with sriracha, makes you yearn to recreate it at home from the family roast. From there, the table builds itself. Gai yaang (BBQ chicken) comes off the grill juicy and lightly charred, with a tamarind jaew dip that keeps the sweet-sour heat tidy. Yum sanat, a warm northern salad of grilled pork, aubergine and herbs, has that lovely Thai balancing act: smoky meat, soft veg, bright herbs, a little roasted rice nuttiness. Dtom juet — clear soup of shiitake, samphire, kajon flowers and tofu skin — is the reset button in the middle of all that spice. Curries and braises keep the meal anchored. Mu parlow (five-spice soy-braised pork with fermented chilli sauce and a soy-cured egg) is glossy, savoury comfort, while gaeng gari yort mapraow orn — tofu with heart of coconut palm — brings an aromatic, gently sweet warmth. A side of sticky rice feels less like an option and more like the point. Olive tip: Start with four or five small dishes, then add a curry and rice. If the daily som dtam is on, order it — it sharpens everything around it. somsaa.com Keith Kendrick Cô Thành, Covent Garden For Vietnamese noodles On visiting Ho Chi Minh in 2013, Hong Kong based Brian Woo was transfixed by local Nguyễn Thị Thanh's street stand, returning daily for her rotating noodle soups. He befriended the ‘Lunch Lady’, training with her for three years before opening a restaurant in her name in Hong Kong. Now Cô Thành comes to Covent Garden, taking the elegant former Frenchie site and adding a vibrant Vietnamese canteen sheen – mirrored tabletops, signage popping from exposed brick walls and colourful plastic stools outside. Sharing starters include minced beef wrapped in betel leaf, sausage skewers glistening in tamarind glaze and beer battered chicken wings with sweet, spicy fish sauce. Next comes an extensive list of noodle soups, my highlight being fragrant bún bò huế, the broth sweetened with pineapple that tenderises the rare beef and beef shank slices along with springy meatballs, fresh herbs and shredded morning glory. Seafood-packed bún Thái has a tom yum edge thanks to tamarind, galangal and ginger, while bún mám packs a fermented umami punch, and bún riêu’s crab base is ideal for thinner vermicelli noodles. We were recommended to drop a couple of unique yellow chillies into our broth, allow them to infuse their floral fragrant spicy kick and then remove. Dinky desserts punch above their weight, from kem chuối inspired coconut and banana ice cream lifted with lime zest, to tiramisu laced with rum and dark roast coffee that caramelises into the mascarpone. Dipping deep-fried sponge fritters into Vietnamese drip cà phê took me right back to Hanoi’s quirky coffee shops. Next time I’ll be trying the clarified bloody mary style cocktail, Vietnamese Maria, for a savoury pick-me-up. cothanhrestaurant.com/london Alex Crossley The Salusbury, Queens Park For modern European cooking in a neighbourhood restaurant setting Half pub, half dining room, The Salusbury brings a confident new energy to leafy north-west London. We visited on a busy Friday night, the bar buzzing with chatter and that end-of-week cheer. Step through to the dining room, though, and the volume drops – it feels like a little pocket of calm tucked just off the action. Modern European cooking leads the charge and the kitchen delivers. We kicked off with the du jour snack, parmesan churros, and these were easily the best version we’ve tried: crisp, savoury and impossible not to leave even a crumb behind. A silky Dorset crab linguine with a peppery cacio e pepe kick had us chasing every last strand, helped along by warm rosemary focaccia that’s clearly made with care. Generous portions continue into the mains. Roast cod came piled high with mussels and sweet leeks in a bowl-sipping cider broth, while Somerset chicken arrived succulent and bronzed with golden gnocchi, sweetcorn and girolles. Desserts hold their own too – the salted caramel tart has just the right wobble and a perfectly judged sweetness. A polished, promising new neighbourhood staple. thesalusbury.co.uk Barney Desmazery Khao-Sō-i, Soho For fiery Northern Thai cuisine London doesn’t lack for Thai restaurants but at Khao-Sō-i – named after the curry noodle dish of Chiang Mai – chef Win Srinavakool has created a menu shaped by the flavours of northern Thailand, with smoke from a wood-fired grill and bold (okay, hot) spice. We began with moo ping: wafer-thin Norfolk pork belly skewers grilled over wood with a sticky, caramelised edge and a deep, savoury warmth. Tum khanun – young jackfruit salad tossed with northern herbs – whacks your tastebuds with refreshing and tingling heat and zest. It’s a perfect spot for an after-work or after-shopping catch-up, buzzing with chatter, the throb of music and the theatre of the open grill. The main event is the namesake khao soi. We tried it two ways: gai (chicken) and bai pye (torched beef chuck eye). The pleasure is in shaping it. Each bowl arrives with coconut cream, chilli flakes, herbs and crisp noodles on the side, so you build your own version: richer, hotter, crunchier, or all of the above, before you pull the noodles from the creamy spiced broth and slurp like no one’s watching. There’s an extensive drinks list but ice-cold Neckstamper pale ale is the way to go to douse the fire and cleanse your palate before diving in to luxurious cha thai cheesecake or bai toey ice cream with cloud-like cubes of brioche. Olive tip: If you go as a two-some order separate dishes and share. You’ll want to experience as much of the menu as possible. khaosoilondon.com Keith Kendrick Il Bambini Club, Hoxton For Italian food in beautiful surroundings Walk into the main entrance of The Hoxton hotel and you are immediately swept into the chic world of Il Bambini Club. The room is warmly lit and beautifully furnished – think curved banquette seating, colourful stripes and florals, and giant fringed lampshades. A big open kitchen runs along one side, which adds to the appealing buzz. We tucked ourselves into one of the comfy booths and kicked things off with pair of cocktails – a rosso spritz with Martini Riserva, cherry and sparkling red, and a punchy vesper martini. The concise menu is trattoria-style. Antipasti of zingy yellowfin tuna tartare came heaped on a pile of crushed avocado, and a whole burrata was served with a juicy panzanella salad (for smaller appetites these would make a perfect lunch or light dinner). After consulting our waiter went for piatti (mains) of meatballs cloaked in a rich tomato sauce with dollops of whipped ricotta and a roasted sea bass – the sweet flesh cut with bitter escarole and capers. From a mostly Italian wine list the chilled Nero d’Avola is great value at £9 a glass – a lovely partner to the food or light enough to drink as an aperitivo. For dessert we shared the very generous tiramisu – creamy and light with a decent kick of espresso and booze. It gave us an excuse to linger, have one more drink and enjoy the cosy vibes of the beautiful room. bambini-restaurant.com Janine Ratcliffe The Elizabeth, Belgravia For cosy bistro vibes This exciting opening sees legendary chef Anthony Demetre, who pioneered modern British cooking at restaurants like Arbutus and Wild Honey, overseeing the new menu. Stepping into the intimate dining room, all leather banquettes and dark wood panelling, felt like entering a Parisian-style bistro. We loved the cosy feel, especially as we were able to get a sneak peek at our neighbour’s dishes to help ordering. The concise menu follows a three-course style which felt refreshing in this age of sharing plates. From starters we chose a Demetre classic, pâté en croûte. Layers of guinea fowl, pork and duck in a crisp pastry shell which came in a generous slab with a dollop of pickled walnut ketchup. After consulting our server we went for mains with an autumnal feel – a steamed Cornish sea bream with a piquant diced piperade and a rich bouillabaisse sauce poured tableside for drama, and a meltingly tender duck confit with comforting stew of chickpeas, spinach and oregano. There’s a pleasingly retro cocktail list – I tried the zingy Lemondrop and my non-drinking guest was given a Juke of Westminster – a non alcoholic wine shrub posing as a glass of red. There’s also a great selection of wines by the glass starting at £7.50. We did end up sharing a dessert of perfectly executed crème brûlée with a rich vanilla spiked custard and shatteringly crisp crust which was a lovely light way to end dinner. olive tip: There’s an amazing value set menu at lunch and early dinner (two courses for £25 or three for £29.50) – on our visit it included Cumbrian beef tartare with ’nduja mayo and beef dripping toast; chicken with pearl barley, morteau and duxelles; and a pear tart with clotted cream. theelizabethsw1.co.uk Janine Ratcliffe Platapian, Soho Of the many surprising dishes at Platapian, the Soho Thai restaurant from the people behind Patara, one especially stood out: cabbage roasted until soft yet still with bite, the wedges dressed with fish sauce and whole chillies to deliver a sweet-salty heat that works beautifully with the vegetable’s faint sourness. But it’s by no means the only eyebrow-raiser in this stylish, sleek space on one of London’s busiest streets. We started with crispy chicken skin with a squeeze of lime – think gourmet pork scratchings. Stuffed snub nose chilli stuffed with minced chicken and prawn is big enough to share, plump and aromatic, and, despite its name, only mildly hot. Then a pandan-leaf wrapped parcel of miang kham scallop, beautifully silky and smoky. Mains kept the balance between comfort and freshness. Short rib beef in five-spice ‘paloh’ with grated salted egg yolk is the stand-out. Flake-apart meat in a rich gravy was positively swoon-worthy. While southern-style yellow curry with crab, mellow and light, saucy with coconut, was a hug in a bowl. Together they showed how Platapian’s menu celebrates the whole of Thai cuisine. From the drinks list, Tom Yum-tini and a whisky sour are smart, punchy and in simpatico with the elegance of the restaurant, while desserts use Thai ingredients to twist familiar Western dishes, such as a smooth pandan crème brûlée. olive tip: When we went on a Thursday night, Platapian was packed, buzzing and loud – so if you want to talk ask for a counter seat near the front. pataralondon.com Keith Kendrick Taco Bros, East Finchley For taco lovers who’ll cross town for them Taco Bros is the sort of neighbourhood place you wander into for something simple and good, then find yourself staying longer than planned, thinking, okay, we’ll order another round. Taco Bros grew from a taco truck and still carries that scrappy charm, though the new bricks and mortar space has its own warmth. Family photos, bright ceiling decorations and the hum of early evening give it the feel of a home kitchen that happens to pour margaritas. I started with the guacamole, which arrived with a heap of crisp tortilla chips and a bowl of green that kept a little of its rustic chunkiness, the sort that feels properly made by hand rather than fussed with. The fish tacos took me straight back to their market days: batter shatter-crisp, slaw bright, tortillas full of flavour. The lamb birria came with a jus that was rich and intensely fatty in the most comforting way, sharpened by white onion and lime. Even the chicken enchiladas felt like a quiet hug, all smoke and gentle heat. The margarita list is long and playful. I went for mango, sweet and sunny, though I found myself wishing it was a touch more sour. There’s a full spread of Mexican soft drink brand Jarritos too, including flavours I’d never seen before. I finished with churros, hot and crisp with enough dulce de leche to make me grateful for the walk home. tacobrosldn.co.uk Legado, Shoreditch For regional Spanish cuisine in a contemporary setting At Nieves Barragán Mohacho (chef-owner of Michelin-starred Sabor)’s regional Spanish restaurant, a bar complete with Estrella Galicia’s signature ceramic taps welcomes guests into the contemporary space. A wine rack spans almost an entire exposed brick wall and prime kitchen pass seats watch over chefs adding finishing touches to no fewer than nine menu sections. We were advised to order three to four dishes each, including two starters, a rice dish and a dessert to share. Things kicked off strong with pan tomate – the olive oil doused tomato toast elevated with dry-cured beef – and tempura-coated piquillo peppers filled with creamy goat’s cheese. Seafood highlights included glistening pan-fried squid stuffed with girolles set on a rich squid ink bisque and tiny fried camarones coated in glossy egg yolk. The ibérico lagarto pork atop rice cooked in earthy mushroom stock is a menu must-order, while sliced tomatoes topped with red mullet bottarga and shaved cured blue fin tuna heart were a surprise highlight. Dessert left us gleeful – saffron honey ice cream quenelle with white chocolate mousse and caramelised pistachios – and we’ll be back to try the Segovian sponge cake. Unique 3-sip amuse-bouche cocktails are served in quirky cups – Spanish bitter aperitif Bonanto is balanced with sharp, sweet rhubarb. To follow, there are multiple sangria options, plenty of Spanish-style gin tonics (re:strong!) and a regional wine and sherry list including my favourite albariño grape from Rías Baixas. olive tip: I would usually order suckling pig if on the menu, and the one at Sabor is epic, but we opted for the more manageable (for two) half pig’s head, deep-fried and sprinkled with jamón powder, which we pulled apart to find juicy treasures. legadorestaurants.com Alex Crossley Canal, Westbourne Park Tucked down a cobbled mews between Notting Hill and Maida Vale, and built into the new Mason & Fifth hotel-apartment complex, Canal is one of London’s most exciting recent openings. Its towpath perch on the Grand Union Canal sets a modern, urban stage for food that’s both precise and packed with flavour. Provenance is proudly front and centre – sourdough comes from Layla, while charcuterie like jamón and Mangalitza sausages arrive from Coombeshead Farm. The menu is cleverly pitched so there’s something for everyone. A fat diner-style cheeseburger bucks the smashburger trend and feels all the better for it, while scallops arrive plump and caramelised, served in their shells with ’nduja butter begging to be mopped up with that sourdough. Crab on toast is so fresh it tastes like it’s just left the boat, and chicken with sweetcorn and girolles might be the most impressive chicken breast you’ll eat this year. Desserts are just as memorable – a tiramisu that’s unapologetically boozy, and a brown butter almond cake with sour cherries that’s indulgent yet balanced. With seasoned owners and staff who know their craft, Canal feels confident from the start – we can’t wait to return. mason-fifth.com Barney Desmazery The Lavery For modern European cooking inside a Grade II-listed townhouse The Lavery is an elegant space in smart South Kensington, where you can expect chic yet understated Georgian interiors: high ceilings, wooden floors, beautiful fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows. The menu and service are as chic as the interiors – no surprise given that the kitchen is led by Yohei Furuhashi, former chef at River Café, Petersham Nurseries and Toklas. His menu showcases Mediterranean seasonality while incorporating ingredients from the British Isles. Starters strike a beautiful balance of fresh flavours, from grilled squid with fresh borlotti, rocket and chilli to Honeymoon melon with shaved courgette and almonds. Standout mains include Scottish sea trout baked in fig leaves and sea salt served with pea, fennel and basil aïoli, and linguine with lobster in tomato and vodka sauce. Desserts are worth lingering over, from a feather-light bean chocolate mousse to the perfect almond tart accompanied by strawberries and cream. You’ll be well looked after from the moment you arrive to the last lick of the dessert spoon. For excellent value, visit for the three-course set lunch menu for £38 per person. thelavery.co.uk Lily Barclay Noisy Oyster, Shoreditch For modern bistro dishes Noisy Oyster is a new opening from the team behind Soho’s Firebird – a sleek modern bistro with a focus on sustainable seafood and killer martinis. The room is an airy, industrial space with shiny, steel-topped tables and huge open windows leading onto a large buzzy terrace. Kick things off with one of the cult icy-cold mini martinis – the Oyster, made with Sapling gin, Otto’s vermouth and an oyster leaf garnish is great paired with a smoked tomato water and oyster dressed with crème fraîche. From the playful menu, small plate wins include a raw scallop crudo topped with zingy pickled raspberries and basil oil, and a dish of rich, creamy stracciatella topped with anchovies and almond pesto (don’t forget to order the light, puffy focaccia to spoon this onto). Guinness bread topped with a generous slick of whipped butter and piled with Yarra Valley red caviar is the obvious Instagrammable dish but still delicious. Standout larger plates include a crunchy breaded hake with a seasonal peach panzanella, and monkfish skewers with XO sauce, topped with a melting, paper-thin slice of lardo. We tried a twist on rum baba for dessert soaked in fig leaf bourbon and served with crème anglaise and strawberries but the soft-serve Jersey ice cream topped with caviar is intriguing enough for a repeat visit. noisyoysterlondon.co.uk Janine Ratcliffe Lai Rai, Peckham For modern Vietnamese Meet friends for fuss-free snacks and cold beers at this dinky new-school Vietnamese. With the name Lai Rai meaning ‘little by little’, the space is a homage to Vietnamese canteens, with a buttery colour palette, neon lighting and slick red stools. By day it serves bánh mì and Vietnamese coffee, by evening the menu evolves into playful twists on familiar Vietnamese flavours – you won't find any bowls of pho here. Smaller plates include crunchy prawn lollies on sugarcane stalks and a light, multicoloured papaya jellyfish salad with lumps of pineapple, charred tomatoes, fresh Viet herbs and peanuts, mopped clean with charred bánh mì chunks. Larger dishes feature a twice-cooked chicken leg atop a herby dressing and grilled betel leaf beef, bathed in a smoky pool of house-made coffee barbecue jus. Vietnamese-inspired cocktails include the Xoài Kick, a bracing mix of tequila, mango, red chillies and fruit salt, and a Viet coffee-laced vodka martini. Finish with a scoop of freshly churned ice cream made by small south London manufacturer Clingy Wrap, with unique flavours such as fish sauce vanilla caramel and kumquat cucumber sorbet. If you're looking for something altogether unexpected, you’ll find it here. lairai.london Helen Salter SINO, Notting Hill For Ukrainian fine dining Sino means “hay” in Ukrainian, but the word goes much deeper to encapsulate the country’s agricultural roots. At their contemporary fine-dining restaurant on All Saints Road, Ukrainian duo Polina Sychova and Eugene Korolev weave this concept into everything they do, from the menu to striking ceiling installation and handcrafted crockery. Interiors are soft, natural and warm – brushed clay walls, beige banquettes and linen drapes dressing the windows. Chef Eugene combines his Michelin-starred experience and Ukrainian heritage to revamp traditional dishes – bitesize potato and sorrel waffles stacked with sorrel-flecked soured cream and smoked pike roe; chicken kyiv presented in a bonbon-style sphere bursting with wild garlic butter alongside bison grass mash; and beef cheek dumplings bathing in oxtail broth spiced with star anise, fragrant with lemon verbena and umami-rich thanks to smoked mushroom garum. Don’t miss tartare-style marinated aubergine served with Kyyrma smoked cheese flatbread and spiced adjika dip to start. Elevated desserts include a riff on honey cake; its layers of honey and buckwheat flour crowned with buckwheat chocolate in a moat of whipped walnut sauce. Eastern European wines hail from Kyiv, Georgia’s Kakheti region and the Black Sea, while Ana Reznik’s cocktails play on nostalgic flavours from a childhood in Ukraine. sinorestaurant.co.uk Alex Crossley Tatar Bunar, Shoreditch For Ukrainian cuisine Southern Ukrainian cuisine is in the spotlight at this likeable new restaurant from Ukrainian restaurateurs Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko. Named after Alex’s hometown of Tatarbunary, the menu is inspired by old family traditions and his grandmother’s recipes, as well as the richness of Bessarabian produce. There’s also a wine list packed with Ukrainian producers. Interiors are a soothing lush blend of creamy neutrals and natural textures with materials sourced from Eastern Europe such as reclaimed Carpathian wood and Bessarabian stone, with ceramics from Kyiv artist Svetlana Sholomitska. We start with forshmak: chunky dollops of finely chopped herring pâté on onion bread, the oily richness balanced by a disc of pink pickled onion and smoked soured cream. Bryndza, a crumbly, tangy, feta-like sheep’s milk cheese is topped with luscious slices of sweet tomato and sprat fillets for a caprese-like dish with an Eastern Europe spin. On the heartier side, banush – cornmeal and cream porridge – is velvety, cheesy and comforting, topped with meaty wild mushrooms. Mains come from the grill: we tried charred, juicy lamb chop served with yogurt, flavoursome pickled tomatoes and a bright and spicy sauce made with red peppers, the latter of which also accompanies tender, delicate grilled rabbit. Desserts are robust and rib-sticking. Crème brûlée comes with a secret surprise inside – a sturdy steamed varenyk dumpling filled with soft cheese – while crêpes come with three individual fillings: poppy seed sauce, blackcurrant jam and cottage cheese, all swimming in creamy custard. Tatar Bunar is generous to a fault – portions are sizeable, the glasses of wine are large and the flavours are bold and unapologetic. A refreshing addition to London's restaurant scene. @tatarbunar.london Hannah Guinness Lupa, Highbury For a neighbourhood Italian This cute neighbourhood corner spot is inspired by the osterias of Rome – where co-owner Ed Templeton lived for a time – with their comforting, simple dishes and casual, friendly atmosphere. The bright, breezy room feels fresh but keeps lots of the original charm intact, including the beautiful, almost floor to ceiling original windows. Chef Naz Hassan's menu is concise and a table of four could happily order most of the menu. Kick off with a punchy martini, heady with Malfy gin and fig leaf liqueur, and a snack of courgette flower stuffed with burrata, deep-fried and served on an umami courgette purée boosted with dashi. There are some pasta greatest hits – try the cacio e pepe with handmade pici in a generous slick of peppery, cheesy sauce. Mains include a thick slice of porchetta stuffed with apricot, gorgeously burnished with deep, crunchy crackling – order the creamy green vignarola veg as a perfect accompaniment. There are only two puddings but the tiramisu delivers – feather light and creamy with a proper kick of booze. Punters may book hoping to see a glimpse of co-owner Theo James (of White Lotus fame) but they’ll come back for the spot-on cooking. lupa.restaurant Janine Ratcliffe Osteria Angelina, Shoreditch For Italian and Japanese fusion Angelina in Dalston offers a unique fusion of Italian and Japanese cooking. This new offshoot caters to a more casual set-up, with tasting menus swapped out for a pick-and-mix of Italian-Japanese dishes and an open kitchen and pasta studio to be viewed from marble-topped tables. Small plates are split into pane (hello nori-flecked focaccia), insalate including Usman's magic mirin and star anise tricolore tomato salad, crudos, such as tuna belly with citrussy ponzu and wasabi, and fritti featuring courgette flowers stuffed with creamy miso and caramelised onion ricotta, topped with hazelnut furikake for extra crunch. Pastas are a highlight – the menu advises to order a couple and we agree. Kombu and truffle laced tortellini contrasts slow-cooked duck ragu and crunchy lotus flower pieces on folds of fazzoletti. Larger grill dishes include umami-rich grilled chicken in taro sauce slathered in miso butter, best paired with okonomiyaki-style shoestring fries. Finish with bruléed black sesame cheesecake or cheese panna cotta topped with caviar for a savoury burst. Playful combinations continue on the drinks list – Riso and Rosmarino pairs cynar and rosemary with sake and cucumber, while smoked pineapple and Sicilian smoked cactus distillate create a zippy Shinjuku Albatross. Lesser spotlighted regional Italian wines sit alongside sakes and a selection of digestifs including grappas and Japanese whiskies. angelina.london/osteria Alex Crossley Town, Covent Garden Stevie Parle's latest swishy, provenance-focused restaurant Any restaurant menu that opens with an extensive snack selection is on the money for London 2025: fried sage leaves with heather honey and chilli are a cocktail’s perfect partner. At Town, the new venue from Stevie Parle and Jonathan Downey the vibe is very much a modern take on early James Bond cool and classy. There’s a standalone bar (cocktails by Kevin Armstrong of Satan’s Whiskers fame, 3 choices of martini natch) which draws the eye on one side, while the space age pass to the kitchen is ringed in glowing baize green and every bit of detail from the ceiling to the frosted glasses shouts ‘attention’. The provenance of produce is equally hot. Wildfarmed beef is raised for the restaurant and served wine-cured with crunchy candied walnuts and posh ‘cheese whizz’, as steaks or in fat form as the cooking medium for pink fir potatoes. There are Seasalter clams swimming in sherry or as a main, curried with cod; Isle of Mull scallops with smoked chilli butter and Kentish asparagus swathed in Mangalista lardo. Kasmiri saffron risotto is served with bone marrow to be scooped out and stirred through, mighty rich in flavour and a show-off on the plate. Buttermilk pudding with roasted nespole (loquats) or a scoop of Todoli lemon and Thai basil sorbet make a refreshing end. There is of course an excellent wine list. town.restaurant Lulu Grimes Kerfield Arms, Camberwell Popular NE London pub team heads south of the river The team behind Islington favourite The Baring has kept things stripped back and simple at their new south London pub. The Victorian-era building boasts plenty of space to play with – for now, a bar with independent brews on tap divides a casual area dedicated to drinkers and walk-ins and a dining room for the full shebang, with the promise of outdoor seating and a private dining room next to the first-floor kitchen to come. To kick things off, a silky house martini combines olive oil fat washed Sapling gin and fennel-infused vermouth, while cherry blossom liqueur and sparkling rosé add spring flourish to a French 75. Order a portion of fried pizza dough fingers to scoop up taramasalata while you peruse the menu of seasonal stars. In the inaugural shish kebab, melting squiggles of squid and lardo slivers are barbecued on a skewer and served in spiced pul biber butter along with shaved fennel and whispy monk’s beard. Half a beefy smoked Marmande tomato, topped with cubes of smoked ricotta and pangrattato crumb, is balanced in a moat of zippy tomato consommé. For mains, grilled monkfish comes with tiny waxy Jersey Royals and friarielli greens in a rich shrimp bisque, while four pink, succulent Yorkshire hogget chops are nestled into a plate of violet artichokes, plump broad beans, creamy bagna cauda and rich hogget reduction. The short but strong dessert menu includes strawberry and chamomile custard doughnuts and chocolate olive oil mousse with rustic brownie and crème fraîche. thekerfieldarms.co.uk Alex Crossley Pyro, London Bridge Greek restaurant where smoke and fire do the talking Just a few minutes from Borough Market is Pyro, a light-filled, open-kitchen spot where smoke and fire do the heavy lifting. Headed up by Yiannis Mexis, formerly of Hide, the Greek menu leans into open-flame cooking with balance and control. Potato pita is essential: pillowy, dotted with onion seeds and perfect for scooping up cooling tzatziki or smoky aubergine topped with walnuts and pomegranate. A pork pluma skewer is rich, roasted and herb-packed, expertly balanced with sour apple. Sea bream crudo, by contrast, is light and bright – green olive and caper leaf add savoury lift, while precisely diced chillies lend occasional, welcome heat. The octopus is soft and lightly charred, paired with a spiced red wine sauce and silky yellow split pea. Lamb, cooked over alder wood, is standout – tender, subtly sweet, served with lamb-fat flatbreads and an anchovy-spiked yogurt. Sides more than pull their weight: crisp layered potatoes with garlicky skordalia and a confidently simple lettuce salad. Portokalopita, soaked with citrus syrup and served with a perfumed citrus leaf ice cream, ends things on a bright note. Pyro is a restaurant that lets fire do the talking but knows when to let something stay cool, crisp or raw. It’s considered and deeply satisfying. pyrorestaurant.co.uk Lydia Anderson Stay tuned for more reviews of new restaurants in London Reviews by Janine Ratcliffe, Christine Hayes, Lulu Grimes, Helen Salter, Hannah Guinness, Alex Crossley, Lydia Anderson Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
Check out our favourite places to eat in the capital's city hub. Try crisp piri-piri chicken, hispi cabbage with pork fat and an XO crumb, and some of the best pasta and cocktails in town
Looking for Shoreditch restaurants? Here are some of our favourite restaurants in east London's buzzing borough around Old Street and Shoreditch High Street stations. Check out our ideas for eating and drinking in Shoreditch, from Brick Lane to Redchurch Street and beyond… For more London recommendations, check our guides to the best restaurants in Soho, best restaurants in London Bridge, best restaurants in Paddington and best restaurants in Camden. Best places to eat and drink in Shoreditch Meet Bros, King John Court – for a fully halal steakhouse Meet Bros stands out in Shoreditch for its fully halal, alcohol-free approach — an intentional, defining choice rather than an afterthought. This Malaysian-British collaboration, neighbouring Legado and Singburi, brings premium Australian wagyu and BBQ lamb ribs to the fore, each dish amplified by punchy Southeast Asian flavours. The wagyu, marbled and deeply savoury, is offered with either a house Asian marinade or classic salt and pepper; both are exceptional, with the Thai danok sauce — a vibrant, nam jim-style mix of tamarind, palm sugar, chilli and fish sauce — cutting through the richness beautifully. Pulled duck pancakes, sweet-spicy chicken wings, grilled broccolini and Asian slaw round out the offering, each dish layered and lively. Though there’s no alcohol, the drinks menu dazzles: the cooling lychee mojito and herbal-sweet Passionita mocktail easily hold their own. For those seeking standout halal dining in Shoreditch, Meet Bros delivers on both flavour and atmosphere — don’t miss the Thai danok with your steak for an extra hit of brightness. meetbros.co.uk Hoppers, Shoreditch High Street – for Sri Lankan and South Indian dishes Ten years after the Soho original, Hoppers has its fourth London site at the Tea Building in Shoreditch — and this one acts as a bridge between Sri Lanka and South India, bringing Bangalore, Madurai and Kochi into the mix alongside Colombo and Jaffna. Prawn paniyaram – crisp, golden balls filled with masala prawns – come with a Chettinad rasa for dipping, hot and peppery. Kochi chilli chicken chop arrives in a curry leaf crumb, fried until shattering. Then there’s the crab kari omelette, inspired by Madurai: fluffy, spice-laced egg wrapped around crab, served with flaky thread parotta, podi-coated soft shell crab and a glossy crab gravy for mopping up. It’s the dish that will have you reaching for your phone camera. From Bangalore comes lamb benne dosa – buttery and pliable, wrapped around pulled lamb shoulder masala with sharp pickled onions. The Kerala sizzling fish kari lands theatrically, salmon cooked in banana leaf, aromatic and gently spiced. Alongside it, Lanka chicken kari delivers that familiar red warmth of pandan and lemongrass. To drink, we balanced the spice with Hoppers’ signature Toddy Ale and an Arrack Attack highball, bringing Sri Lanka back into focus. hopperslondon.com Vincenzo's, Bethnal Green Road – for NYC-style slices Vincenzo's in Shoreditch is the second location from Tom Vincent, who opened his first location in Bushey in 2022 and watched it become a cult favourite. You can now find his signature crispy, thin-crust whole pies and pizza by the slice in the capital, bringing New York’s late-night energy and providing Londoners with a new way to enjoy pizza: fresh, hot, generous slices to grab and go. It's made such a mark that it's already a buzzing London institution. Order by the slice or indulge in a 16-inch pie if you're hungry. NYC fold is served on grease-stained paper plates, with simple toppings alongside the likes of spicy vodka sauce, plus a fun take on a Greek-inspired spanakopita. NY slices are the emphasis, however our favourite has to be the focaccia, served by the square: it's tangy, chewy and loaded with premium toppings like burrata and pepperoni (drizzled in hot honey, no less). Super heavenly, though be warned: you may never look at pizza the same way again. It's primarily a grab and go situation, with just a few stools to perch, so the only thing left to order are the quietly formidable dips: a hot and sweet roquito ranch (our favourite), truffle mayo, garlic and herb, and hot honey. There's also a range of soft drinks. vincenzospizzas.com/vincenzos-shoreditch Tempo, Bethnal Green - for pan-Asian dishes and natural wines After a series of sell-out pop-ups, chef Eric Wan brings his new-wave Asian cooking to Paradise Row’s railway arches in Bethnal Green. With Chinese and Vietnamese influences, rotating dishes span a buttery, braised aubergine on whipped tofu with crisp, deep-fried wontons, to the signature prawn toast with a vibrant green chilli sauce, pickled daikon and shiso. Warm honey butter madeleines are not to be missed for dessert and the impressive wine-by-the-glass and bottle list is curated by dan’s - a neighbourhood wine bar and shop that’s swapped the streets of east London for Tottenham Court Road. tempo.restaurant som saa, Commercial Street – for Thai food som saa has reopened with its same regional Thai authenticity and buzzy vibes but with a few new angles and a bit more bar-snack energy – recalibrations the team introduced after months to reflect and refresh. We began where the menu now gently prompts you to start: the nibbly bits. Tua phrik krob — deep-fried cashews with makrut lime leaf and dried chilli — are toasty, fragrant and entice you to keep reaching back into the bowl. Nang gai thort, crisp chicken skin with sriracha, makes you yearn to recreate it at home from the family roast. From there, the table builds itself. Gai yaang (BBQ chicken) comes off the grill juicy and lightly charred, with a tamarind jaew dip that keeps the sweet-sour heat tidy. Yum sanat, a warm northern salad of grilled pork, aubergine and herbs, has that lovely Thai balancing act: smoky meat, soft veg, bright herbs, a little roasted rice nuttiness. Dtom juet — clear soup of shiitake, samphire, kajon flowers and tofu skin — is the reset button in the middle of all that spice. Curries and braises keep the meal anchored. Mu parlow (five-spice soy-braised pork with fermented chilli sauce and a soy-cured egg) is glossy, savoury comfort, while gaeng gari yort mapraow orn — tofu with heart of coconut palm — brings an aromatic, gently sweet warmth. A side of sticky rice feels less like an option and more like the point. Olive tip: Start with four or five small dishes, then add a curry and rice. If the daily som dtam is on, order it — it sharpens everything around it. somsaa.com Noisy Oyster, Nicholls Clarke Yard – for modern bistro dishes Noisy Oyster is a sleek modern bistro with a focus on sustainable seafood and killer martinis. The room is an airy, industrial space with shiny, steel-topped tables and huge open windows leading onto a large buzzy terrace. Kick things off with one of the cult icy-cold mini martinis – the Oyster, made with Sapling gin, Otto’s vermouth and an oyster leaf garnish is great paired with a smoked tomato water and oyster dressed with crème fraîche. Small plate wins include a raw scallop crudo topped with zingy pickled raspberries and basil oil, and a dish of rich, creamy stracciatella topped with anchovies and almond pesto (don’t forget to order the light, puffy focaccia to spoon this onto). Standout larger plates include a crunchy breaded hake with a seasonal peach panzanella, and monkfish skewers with XO sauce, topped with a melting, paper-thin slice of lardo. We tried a twist on rum baba for dessert soaked in fig leaf bourbon and served with crème anglaise and strawberries but the soft-serve Jersey ice cream topped with caviar is intriguing enough for a repeat visit. noisyoysterlondon.co.uk The Prince, Old Street – for communal cocktails Led by Will Hawes (formerly of Milk & Honey and Booking Office 1869), and Aaron Wall (of acclaimed Islington bar Homeboy), The Prince is a warm, intimate cocktail bar with an interior of dark wood, forest green and gold evoking 1920s charm. We enjoyed the genuine sense of inclusivity and camaraderie – sit at the bar if there's space. Signature drinks include black velvet, a beguiling mix of Guinness and champagne – closer to a champagne cocktail than a pint; and Buster's Stout Punch, a blend of three rums, cognac, lemon sherbet and stout, which sounds lethal but was in fact fruity and exquisitely balanced. The real standout though is the martini menu: a 10-strong list of favourites such as the gin-vodka hybrid vesper, and the slightly savoury gibson, served with a pearl onion. Order straight from the list or let the bar staff tailor a martini to your exact preference – in our case, a 6:1 gin-vermouth ratio, three olives and freezing cold. "It's your drink," as the menu says, "it should be perfect for you." theprincebar.com Tatar Bunar, Curtain Road – for Ukrainian cuisine Southern Ukrainian cuisine is in the spotlight at this likeable new restaurant from Ukrainian restaurateurs Alex Cooper and Anna Andriienko. Named after Alex’s hometown of Tatarbunary, the menu is inspired by old family traditions and his grandmother’s recipes, as well as the richness of Bessarabian produce. There’s also a wine list packed with Ukrainian producers. Interiors are a soothing lush blend of creamy neutrals and natural textures with materials sourced from Eastern Europe such as reclaimed Carpathian wood and Bessarabian stone, with ceramics from Kyiv artist Svetlana Sholomitska. We start with forshmak: chunky dollops of finely chopped herring pâté on onion bread, the oily richness balanced by a disc of pink pickled onion and smoked soured cream. Bryndza, a crumbly, tangy, feta-like sheep’s milk cheese is topped with luscious slices of sweet tomato and sprat fillets for a caprese-like dish with an Eastern Europe spin. On the heartier side, banush – cornmeal and cream porridge – is velvety, cheesy and comforting, topped with meaty wild mushrooms. Mains come from the grill: we tried charred, juicy lamb chop served with yogurt, flavoursome pickled tomatoes and a bright and spicy sauce made with red peppers, the latter of which also accompanies tender, delicate grilled rabbit. Desserts are robust and rib-sticking. Crème brûlée comes with a secret surprise inside – a sturdy steamed varenyk dumpling filled with soft cheese – while crêpes come with three individual fillings: poppy seed sauce, blackcurrant jam and cottage cheese, all swimming in creamy custard. Tatar Bunar is generous to a fault – portions are sizeable, the glasses of wine are large and the flavours are bold and unapologetic. A refreshing addition to London's restaurant scene. @tatarbunar.london Chiave, Redchurch Street – for bespoke cocktails Chiave, meaning ‘key’ in Italian, cuts a subtle exterior on Redchurch Street bar the large, polished brass-effect key on the door. At sundown, the bar to transform into a cosy drinking den with dark mahogany tables and palo santo incense swirling up towards the alluring red ceiling. Street Spirit (named after Radiohead’s 1995 track) is a vibrant twist on a Moscow mule with aniseed notes from raki – Turkey’s national spirit – effortlessly blended with a subtle salted caramel vodka. Margarita fans will not be disappointed with a Tommy margarita mixing equal quantities of Ojo de Dios mezcal and Don Julio tequila, with chilli liqueur and a spicy sumac rim. For crisp and aromatic herbal refreshment don’t miss Sunbeams with Tanqueray No Ten gin, chinotto nero and a blend of clarified sea buckthorn and basil. The team’s Turkish heritage is carried into the small but thoughtful snack selection. Nibble on dainty, rice-stuffed vine leaves with pomegranate molasses for dipping, or hummus-filled cucumber bites. If you want to carry on the night, pop downstairs to the small but compact dance floor with custom-made speakers and a stylish HiFi mixer. chiaveshoreditch.com Osteria Angelina, Nicholas Clarke Yard – for Italian-Japanese small plates Angelina in Dalston offers a unique fusion of Italian and Japanese cooking. This new offshoot caters to a more casual set-up, with tasting menus swapped out for a pick-and-mix of Italian-Japanese dishes and an open kitchen and pasta studio to be viewed from marble-topped tables. Small plates are split into pane (hello nori-flecked focaccia), insalate including Usman's magic mirin and star anise tricolore tomato salad, crudos, such as tuna belly with citrussy ponzu and wasabi, and fritti featuring courgette flowers stuffed with creamy miso and caramelised onion ricotta, topped with hazelnut furikake for extra crunch. Pastas are a highlight – the menu advises to order a couple and we agree. Kombu and truffle laced tortellini contrasts slow-cooked duck ragu and crunchy lotus flower pieces on folds of fazzoletti. Larger grill dishes include umami-rich grilled chicken in taro sauce slathered in miso butter, best paired with okonomiyaki-style shoestring fries. Finish with bruléed black sesame cheesecake or cheese panna cotta topped with caviar for a savoury burst. Playful combinations continue on the drinks list – Riso and Rosmarino pairs cynar and rosemary with sake and cucumber, while smoked pineapple and Sicilian smoked cactus distillate create a zippy Shinjuku Albatross. Lesser spotlighted regional Italian wines sit alongside sakes and a selection of digestifs including grappas and Japanese whiskies. angelina.london/osteria Kricket, Charlotte Road – for modern Indian cooking Housed in a former printing press, the fourth and largest Kricket is arguably its most ambitious. A natural evolution of the brand’s modern Indian ethos, the Shoreditch location is all brick, brass and soft pinks, inspired by Jaipur, delivering greatest hits alongside seasonal newcomers, all designed to share and all packing punch. From the starters, go for recheado butter prawns, meaty and plump, slathered in spiced Goan butter. Or the Keralan fried chicken, a dish so popular it’s become a Kricket signature, its craggy, spice-flecked crust giving way to juicy thigh meat, with a slick of curry leaf mayo and crisp mooli for contrast. Vegetables are treated with ingenuity. Grilled squash, dressed in makhani sauce with shards of paneer and puffed wild rice, is a creamy, crunchy triumph. And Tamil leek and potato hariyali – a vibrant green curry enriched with coconut – is a masterclass in coaxing richness and depth from humble ingredients. From the Grills & Curries section comes the Karnatakan pork neck, roasted with tamarind, dried chilli and ginger, while seafood fans should head straight for the claypot baked cod, nestling in a coconut cream sauce. This isn’t just a lunch or dinner spot, either. Brunch service includes masala fried eggs, smoked haddock kedgeree and a bacon naan. Pair it with a mango lassi or a spiced chai. kricket.co.uk Blacklock, Rivington Street – for great steaks While Blacklock’s famous ‘All In’ – a pile-up of seared pork, lamb and beef chops served atop charcoal-grilled flatbread – remains a carnivore’s rite of passage, another must-order is the magnificent beef prime rib chop (choose the size to suit you). Charred and glossy, blushing pink within, it’s a true showstopper, elevated to even greater heights of umami meatiness with house gravy. It’s a dish that feels perfectly in keeping with the dark wood and exposed brick of Blacklock’s Shoreditch branch, tucked inside a Victorian warehouse, buzzing with office workers. Start with bite-size canapés then choose succulent pig’s head on toast, lifted by sweet, pickled chilli slices. Sides compete for stardom: 10-hour ash-roasted sweet potato, smoky and creamy; sharp kale with parmesan; loudly crunchy beef dripping chips; and silky bone marrow. To finish, white chocolate cheesecake is like no other you’ve had before, served at your table in great scoops for everyone to grab a spoon and dive into. theblacklock.com Mad Cats, Redchurch Street – listening bar and cocktails Another listening bar has landed in Shoreditch – and this one is more than worth a visit. With a compact cocktail selection that chooses quality over quantity, Asian-inspired flavours sing with Muyu Jasmine Verte Liqueur, junmai sake and lemongrass, while there’s a dash of Lebanese inspiration with the Zaza cocktail, a spin on a classic tequila martini with infused za’atar oil. Red, white, rosé, orange and sparkling wines are available from traditional and new world regions, as well as five varieties of sake. East Asian flavours are carried across to the menu. The yellowtail carpaccio with jalapeño sauce and ponzu dressing is beautifully presented and citrussy without being too sharp. Towering brioche toast with crab and gochujang aïoli was a highlight, although there truly were no misses: charred Hispi cabbage is accompanied by an umami-rich wafu sauce, and the miso hake with chilli oil and samphire is buttery and delicate. Attention to detail goes beyond the menu, with chopsticks resting on hand-painted model cats, DJs spinning vinyl only and an abundance of high-fidelity speakers to keep audiophiles content. Don’t miss a trip to the bathroom through the blue velvet curtain where The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is played on a speaker directly in your cubicle. madcats.uk The Knave of Clubs, Bethnal Green Road – modern pub with rotisserie kitchen The Knave of Clubs is back on the East End pub scene with a proper old-school flourish. Originally serving the bird market traders on Club Row in the 1880s, this local continued life as an East End boozer until the 1990s when it underwent a full transformation into French restaurant Les Trois Garçons for a decade or so. The pub has been lovingly restored on the ground floor, huge wall mirrors have been unearthed and polished, the bar revamped and a toastie, oyster, snack and rotisserie chicken menu installed. The driving force behind this redo are Benjy Leibowitz (ex NYC’s NoMad), James Dye (The Camberwell Arms) and Patrick Powell (ex Allegra) all of whom are committed to the local feel of the pub – it’s one big room with the rotisserie kitchen at the end open. The upper floors will open from April with a clubby (members, not disco) NY dining feel and menu, keeping pub and restaurant vibes on different levels. You can book for lunch (advised, it’s popular) and evenings are walk-in, dogs are welcome and the vibe is buzzy. Try the prawn scotch eggs and venison sausage rolls to start. There's only one dessert, a very good chocolate mousse. theknaveofclubs.co.uk Kolamba East, Spitalfields – for modern Sri Lankan sharing dishes There is one dish on Kolamba East's menu that alone is worth a visit. Moor king prawn string hopper biryani is a version of the classic like no other: delicate threads of rice noodles cushioning plump prawns, over which you pour a fiery aromatic gravy. It’s made to share but you’ll be fighting over the last nugget. But it’s far from the only star. The menu is different to its Soho sister, showcasing a more refined, modern take on Sri Lankan cuisine, with an emphasis on small plates and sharing dishes. Set in a Grade II listed warehouse, the design is inspired by Colombo culture, integrating handmade dining chairs, lotus table lamps and prints of water buffalo on the exposed brick walls. Try a cocktail – the Pol Mezcalita is delicious coconut twist on the original – then start with black pork 'mas paan', a bun stuffed with slow-cooked black pork curry, served with pineapple chutney, and melt-in-the-mouth hot butter soft shell crab. From the mains, whole rib jaggery beef, sweet and spicy, flakes off the bone in juicy strands. And, as you’d expect, there is a variety of sides and sambols to accompany. Complete the feast with a Sri Lankan classic CBP – Colombo biscuit pudding. kolamba.co.uk/kolamba-east Bistro Freddie, Luke Street – for a neighbourhood bistro feel Tucked in the quiet back streets between Shoreditch High Street and Old Street stations, almost another world from the hustle of east London that surrounds it, Bistro Freddie has a distinct classic neighbourhood bistro feel, offering generous, down-to-earth hospitality and a menu featuring the best produce of the British Isles. There’s an intimate 45-cover open-plan dining room and plenty of top-quality tipples focussing on small and predominantly independent producers and growers. Highlights of head chef Alexandre Laforce Reynolds' menu include caper-jewelled tartare with fried bread, shaved celeriac salad with pear, Roquefort and caramelised walnut salad and an epic pie, its golden shell cracked open to reveal a saucy steak, Guinness and roast shallot filling. Finish with caramelised sticky toffee pudding served with a generous gravy boat of cream. bistrofreddie.com Shoreditch &Soul, Cheshire Street – for a social wellness space Hidden behind Brick Lane in a former Victorian textile warehouse, Shoreditch &Soul is a new third space and wellness hub for Londoners. Copper boiler canopies, handwoven wall art and a repurposed bowling alley flooring create a unique feel. During the day, the café is run by Palm Greens, serving hearty plant-based dishes such as tostada bowls, savoury toast and changing specials such as their current spring broth with wild garlic plus smoothies and juices. Come evening, the venue hosts supper clubs and dinners with guest chefs and food artists. &Soul bar offers alcohol-free drinks by Karmaceuticals, designed by a medical herbalist to subtly boost mood and relaxation without the side effects alcohol brings. Stick around to enjoy the Sanctuary, a multi-sensory space complete with 40-person circular sauna (complete with sound system to host raves), cold plunge and a roster of yoga, breathwork and meditation workshops. andsoul.com Bar Valette – for buzzing neighbourhood vibes There’s a warm neighbourhood feel at this opening from The Clove Club team – mustard banquettes, white tablecloths, bright modernist art that pops against white brickwork and stools at the semi-open kitchen/bar. Kick off with a sherry-laced martini and a pick and mix of the “fried, salty, crunchy” snack section including deep-fried ravioli-like barbajuan parcels, Scottish-style clapshot croquettes and buttermilk-fried pine chicken. Fish mains are strong – aged cold smoked trout with crackling-style skin is served on seasonal citrus hollandaise. Cuts of the day’s catch (turbot, skate, flounder) are dressed with the likes of zippy wild garlic sauce vierge. Finish with chicory root crème brûlée, the roots adding an earthy caramel flavour to the silky cream, or 70% Peruvian chocolate vanilla cream mousse. There's also the option to visit for Pintxos hour (actually two hours, 5-7pm, Tuesday to Friday) for tasty snacky bites of all shapes and sizes. barvalette.com Fazenda – for limitless sharing steaks This might just be the ultimate sharing extravaganza for steak lovers. Fazenda’s Churrasco Experience brings the theatre of the traditional gaucho grill to your table, offering a limitless selection (you can eat as much as you like) of 15 grilled meats, carved from giant skewers by expert passadores. Highlights include picanha (beef rump), sirloin, ribeye, pork belly and fillet, all cooked to medium-rare perfection. This premium south Brazilian restaurant spans two floors in the sleek 100 Bishopsgate Tower and boasts three private dining rooms, an elegant mezzanine lounge and the standalone Fino bar. Start your experience with the Market Table’s fresh salads and sides or opt for Brazilian small plates, such as seafood moqueca (a tomato and coconut stew) or yellowfin tuna with beef cream emulsion. For something extra special, Fazenda’s ‘Share an indulgent cut’ menu features sharing dishes like roasted bone marrow with chimichurri, a one-kilo tomahawk steak dry-aged for 21 days, grilled giant king prawns and a 500g grade 9 wagyu sirloin. To drink, Fazenda specialises in Argentinian, Brazilian, Chilean and Uruguayan wines, as well as innovative cocktails from South America. If you still have room, try dulce de leche filled churros or crème caramel layered with chantilly cream and madeira cake. fazenda.co.uk/location/bishopsgate Leydi, Holborn Viaduct – for Istanbul sharing plates Leydi sees the return of the talented Selin Kiazim (previously Oklava) to London and brings with it the spirit of Istanbul, serving an all-day menu oozing with Turkish favourites but with Selin’s unique modern twist. Launched opposite the Old Bailey in an area in Farringdon with an abundance of history, the restaurant pays tribute to the vibrancy of Istanbul’s eating culture, featuring generous, celebratory Turkish food meant to be shared and savoured. The drinks menu boasts bespoke creations from Kevin Patnode, two-time winner of the best bartender in Turkey, in addition to a transcontinental wine list with a distinctive Turkish influence. With décor featuring plush banquettes, warm lighting and understated references to Istanbul’s architecture and interiors that can only be described as elegant, this intimate 90-cover dining room sets its sights on charming the capital. leydilondon.com William IV, Old Street – for a cosy pub dining room This 200-year-old pub has recently had a makeover with the addition of a first-floor dining room but thankfully the ‘pubby’ elements (open fire, solid wooden tables and decent beer selection) have been left intact. Downstairs is buzzy (and packed) with a focus more on bar snacks but the cosy, candlelit dining room is where you want to be on a chilly winters evening. Start with the Guinness soda bread served with a dish of soft butter spiked with just the right amount of Marmite, or a dish of creamy burrata with sweet-sharp pickled figs and olive jam. Guinness appears again in a deep, umami glaze for a fall-apart beef rib, served with creamy mash and braised baby carrots. The cooking is assured and simple, letting ingredients like Scottish lemon sole with samphire, a buttery tarragon shallot sauce and new potatoes, shine. Puddings are generous and classic – the sticky toffee pudding is easily enough for two to share. For beer fans there’s plenty on draught from Verdant, Lost and Grounded, and Siren, or there’s a quirky cocktail list – try the 2:1 Coastal Martini with Boatyard gin and Vault Coastal vermouth. You can also order it as a mini shot accompanied by an oyster as a fun appetiser. william-iv.com Zapote, Leonard Street – for contemporary Mexican While you won’t find a burrito on the menu, you will find classic punchy Mexican flavours and plenty of spiked citrus, alongside handmade tortillas made from heritage corn. The house cocktail, Zapote 70, is a margarita twist combination of tequila, mescal and lemon juice. Choose from around 20 dishes, some serving one and others to share – a couple per person work well. Make sure someone orders the kaleidoscopic red prawn ceviche, pistachio, jícama and kumquat – a visually stunning plate. Servers will bring the dishes in the order that works best. For dessert, the raspberry doughnut is a lurid pink astonishment, an incredible amount of intense raspberry flavour and that signature zing packed into a beignet unlike any you’ve tried before. Imaginative use of ingredients, a focus on flavour and delicate presentation combine to create food that’s a cut above. zapote.co.uk Bar Lina, Shoreditch High Street – for hidden cocktails Bar Lina is the offshoot of Lina Stores, the Italian deli turned restaurant franchise that has been in Soho since 1944 and now has locations across the capital. Nestled beneath the branch of Lina Stores on Shoreditch High Street, Bar Lina offers a dark and cosy retreat to settle in for a cocktail or two. Everything from the ceilings to the sofas are colour drenched in burgundy, while single candles flickers on every table. Find a modern twist on the classics like the Pera, a combination of vodka, pear, extra dry vermouth and orange liqueur topped with prosecco. There’s also a range of negronis to choose from, including the classic Mamma Mia with gin, Campari and Antica Formula, and the unusual Bosco which features truffle vodka and porcini butter. Nibbles are Italian with green Cerignola olives on offer, or you can venture upstairs for a plate of handmade pasta. barlina.co.uk/shoreditch BAO City, Bloomberg Arcade – for bao buns in slick surroundings The newest offering from the BAO chain is a slick, smart affair. The interiors are sophisticated without being cold, matched with warm and friendly service from the staff. The classic hallmarks of BAO are there, with the Taiwanese fried chicken, dan dan noodles and crispy daikon bao buns all being as excellent as in its other locations. What switches this one up is the specials on the chalkboard, from grilled Taiwanese pork neck with pickled garlic and daikon, to whole grilled fish with yu-shiang sauce. The drinks menu is inventive and enticing – we loved the sweet potato sour. Save room for a sad face bao for dessert, it’ll have you feeling exactly the opposite by the end. baolondon.com/restaurant/bao-city/ The Brush Grand Café, Great Eastern Street – for all-day dining over European classics Hoxton’s new art’otel’s hub is this bright, airy restaurant, knocking out the kind of uncomplicated food we fancy eating everyday: salads nicoise and caesar; crisp flatbreads topped with ’nduja, basil and mozzarella; schnitzels made with veal or aubergine; decent burgers, meatballs and moules frites. Lots of skill in the pastry section, too: Basque cheesecake and a strawberry éclair show a lightness of touch. Cocktails include 50 Shades of Champagne with an intriguing champagne ‘air’ garnish (a delicate foam). Graffiti-style murals by British artist D*Face are another compelling reason to visit. thebrushhoxton.co.uk The Buxton, Brick Lane – for a slicked up boozer This is a former Brick Lane boozer turned polished pub-with-rooms, reimagined by the team behind Commercial Street’s The Culpeper. The heart of the action occurs in the slickly refurbished Victorian pub on the ground floor (there are bedrooms and a roof terrace above), which is now a reimagined bistro and wine bar. Tall, graceful arched windows introduce plenty of light, while a sweeping rosso levanto marble counter is a stylish focal point. Food has an emphasis on prime produce (including from The Culpeper Family Group’s own urban farm in Deptford) and seasonality, and will change weekly to use the best of what's available. Simple dishes combine British produce with French and Mediterranean influences, to build a carefully curated selection of small plates to share. Our spring visit included creamy shredded duck on toast, asparagus in a decadent brown butter sauce, and Denver steak with sticky, umami-rich glazed hen of the wood mushrooms. Don't miss the cheese croquettes to start: crisp on the inside and melting within. Finish with the generously sized chocolate bavarois. The all-natural wine list is joined by a short cocktail list with seasonal serves, currently including a delicate rhubarb sour for spring and seasonal bellini. thebuxton.co.uk With an impressively modest flat rate (including breakfast and a welcome drink) for every room, this a great option for solo travellers who have outgrown hostels, or those looking for a comfortable yet affordable base in this fashionable and often pricey part of London. Doubles from £135 – check availability at booking.com. Nest, Old Street – for great-value seasonal tasting menus The trio behind Hackney’s much-loved neighbourhood spot pulls off the same levels of intimacy in its larger Shoreditch restaurant, with various nooks carved out in the horseshoe layout. Pop into the cosy wine bar area before picking between gnarled wooden booths, a fireside table for six or a counter seat with a view of chefs adding their finishing touches. The eight-course seasonal tasting menu, presented in a tiny wax-sealed envelope, focuses on one hero ingredient at a time, allowing for superb sourcing – think Yorkshire’s Otterburn Mangalitza pork or Welsh Wagyu beef. Seafood season kicks off with a snack plate of tiny trout tarts, cod’s roe with seaweed tapioca crackers and oysters in pickled jalapeño foam, followed by treacly soda bread that hasn’t left the menu since it first featured. Other highlights include crab salad with sea buckthorn emulsion, silky squid noodles in a spicy, XO-laced broth and BBQ monkfish with roast carrot and ginger purée. Each menu is accompanied by an optional ‘one-region’ wine pairing; on our visit a showcase of the diversity of Loire wines, from sparkling pet-nat to a citrusy natural Pouilly Fumé and sweet chenin blanc to complement a delightfully surprising Jerusalem artichoke and chestnut dessert and made-to-order seaweed doughnuts to finish. nestfood.co.uk Sohaila, Shoreditch High Street – for Modern Middle Eastern cuisine Sohaila is a restaurant and natural wine bar created by social enterprise Fat Macy’s (which supports people in temporary accommodation via culinary training), serving modern Middle Eastern food. It’s named after founder Nathalie Moukarzel’s grandmother and a lot of the recipes are inspired by her. Dishes use local and sustainable ingredients, and the menu changes often to minimise food waste. Plates often include labneh and chilli butter, deep-fried mussels, and halloumi and figs. Cocktails use similar flavours, such as the martini overleaf. sohailarestaurant.com BAO Noodle shop, Redchurch Street — for Taiwanese noodle bowls The Taiwanese trio behind this mini pillowy bun empire have applied their signature style to this Shoreditch outpost — ruby red leather stools around blonde wood tables, soft globe wall lights and a white tiled bar, where staff in bespoke lab coats mix clever cocktails. An unusual sweet potato sour is creamy and silky with a sweet, earthy depth, and the old fashioned is given extra body from milk-washed whisky and Taiwanese tea. Small plates include crunchy Taiwanese fried chicken pieces, boiled cull yaw dumplings and crispy spring rolls filled with stretchy cheese and soy-cured jalapeños. Pillowy steamed buns are filled with the likes of prawn croquette with black garlic glaze and slow-cooked pork with a peanut crumb. Three noodle dishes join the regulars — the richer Taipei-style broth is topped with slow-cooked beef cheek and short rib, plus a dollop of spiced beef butter to melt through the silky homemade noodles. A lighter Tainan broth features rare sliced beef with melting edges of frilly fat, while sesame fried aubergine sits atop an umami-rich vegan kelp soup. Downstairs, there’s a karaoke den adorned with bespoke wallpaper for those who want to book for a bao-fuelled sing-along. baolondon.com Padella, Phipp Street – for homemade pasta From the brains behind Borough Market's buzzing, booking-free pasta spot comes Padella 2.0, an industrial-style space that makes up for its cool interiors with a showstopping selection of antipasti and, you guessed it, pasta. A spacious open kitchen accommodates bar stools, or there are red wooden tables further away from the action. Wherever you sit, the larger space feels like you can linger over your linguine for longer. Start with a bitter, dark-berry blackcurrant americano (Campari, Hereford blackcurrant liqueur, fig leaf and soda) or sip a punchy gorgonzola-stuffed olive martini. Every plate impresses, from sourdough with a crunch to the crust and satisfying chew to wobbly burrata in a pool of fruity Fiorano olive oil. You’d be missing a trick if you didn’t order at least half the pasta menu (there’s eight that change on the regular). Dexter beef shin ragu cooks for eight hours, clinging to the slippery sheets of pappardelle before being covered in frilly parmesan, while a Westcombe ricotta ravioli zings with lemon, sage and butter. Come for the pasta, stay for the puds. A sliver of seasonal tart (be it lemon, rhubarb and almond or salted caramel) will end things nicely – a buttery, short crust, light filling and dollop of cooling crème fraiche. padella.co Llama Inn, The Hoxton – for modern Peruvian cuisine Huge potted ficus plants and a retractable ceiling create an outdoors vibe to this style-conscious rooftop restaurant on the top floor on The Hoxton hotel. But despite its lofty location there is substance over style: the food is high-end, modern Peruvian, echoing the ethos at its NYC sister restaurant. Chef Marcin Maliczowski regularly updates the menu to ensure regulars find something exciting and new, and a helpful glossary on the back of the menu explains each ingredient. Ceviches include beetroot with pickled cucumber, dill and horseradish cream; and stone bass, lemongrass tiger's milk, coconut and huacatay (black mint). Smoked cauliflower, aji panca romesco and cauliflower vinaigrette works as a main or side, with a punchy sudado fish and seafood stew laced piled high with cod, cockles and prawns with sugar snap peas and rice. Mandarin, chicha morada (a mildly sweet drink made from purple corn) and verbena is a refreshing dessert. Classic and flavoured pisco sours are the perfect livener pre- or post-dinner. thehoxton.com/llama-inn-restaurant Daffodil Mulligan, Old Street – for Irish food Chef Richard Corrigan’s partnership with fellow Irishmen John Nugent and Tony Gibney is an unapologetic tribute to Irish craic. The industrial Shoreditch space is modestly decorated with moody portraits of Irish legends – Sinéad O’Connor guides you down the stairs to the basement drinking den; while upstairs is where you’ll find the main restaurant, open kitchen, complete with a wood oven and grill, and oyster bar. Let chef be your guide with six sharing courses and a Gibney’s stout, or work your way around the snacks, small plates, oysters and grill. Dishes include fiery beef tartare served in an oyster shell with oyster cream and vongole, chicken and tarragon best mopped up with homemade soda bread, and cured collar of bacon with creamy mash and fresh pickled shallot rings. Many ingredients are sourced from Richard’s own estate in Ireland, Virginia Park Lodge – including smoky, wood-roasted carrots that punch way above their weight. Biscuity champagne and a light, very gluggable muscadet are winners on the wine list – but drinks nerds should explore the cocktails with infused spirits, from jalapeño-infused tequila in a blood orange margarita to chilli Aperol with mezcal, chocolate and orange bitters. daffodilmulligan.com Manteca, Curtain Road – for nose-to-tail Italian cooking Chefs Chris Leach and David Carter opened Manteca’s first permanent home on Curtain Road, Shoreditch, in November 2021 to rave reviews. Inspired by Chris’s travels through Italy, the focus is on nose-to-tail Italian cooking, with hand-rolled pasta, house-made salami, seasonal vegetables and wood-fired breads at the forefront. Expect hearty, knockout dishes including puffy clam flatbreads, a rich pig skin ragu, and rigatoni with a silky kale sauce served in a light, airy setting. There’s a carefully honed wine menu with classic bottles and bolder ‘down the rabbit hole’ wines, and an amari-focussed cocktail list making the most of the Italian herbal liqueur, featuring not-to-be-missed house-made amaro. mantecarestaurant.co.uk Plates, Hoxton – for high-end vegan Siblings Kirk and Keeley Haworth have created a one of a kind menu and vibe at this entirely plant-based Hoxton restaurant. Each dish combines highly seasonal, sustainable, occasionally unfamiliar ingredients which makes a fun journey of discovery. A tasting menu kicks off with – depending on the season – hibiscus and white tea granita with a beetroot and buckwheat truffle, savoury but surprisingly the exact texture of a rich chocolate treat. Laminated sourdough has both crunch and flakiness, served with a vibrant spirulina butter. You might recognise ‘lasagne’ from Kirk’s win on Great British Menu – his deconstructed version combines an umami-packed ragu with a miso and chive sauce. There’s no refined sugar but plenty of flavour in cacao gateaux with sour cherry, coconut blossom ice cream and caramel sauce. Low-intervention wines and cocktails are equally inspiring. Book a seat at the counter for a ringside view. plates-london.com Gloria, Great Eastern Street – for a fun group dinner A Paris export bringing top-quality Italian food to the streets of east London in its own quirky, seriously OTT and raucous way. Gloria might call itself a “pure and traditional Italian trattoria” but this is signature Shoreditch (by way of Paris) – expect long queues, one-way-glass in the loos and overflowing plants, everywhere. In a nod to 50s Capri, the dining room mixes Carrara marble with colourful antique Italian ceramics, mirrored ceilings and velour banquettes. All produce is sourced from Italy and it shows. Order smoked stracciatella (if you can resist burrata from Puglia), accurately described on the playful menu as “bloody godsent”. If Instagrammable dishes are your bag then look no further than the La Gran Carbonara, for two to share, served in a giant wheel of pecorino, and the “incomparable” lemon pie with a promised 5.9-inch meringue layer. Neapolitan-style pizza is as it should be; big, blistered crust; a sloppy, well-seasoned San Marzano tomato sauce heart – and the spicy “Robert de Nitro” toppings of mozzarella, ricotta, candied onions and salame piccante. There are plenty of classic cocktails to choose from but Gloria’s trophy negroni is unlike anything you’ll see elsewhere in London, with unusual additions of porcini mushroom wine and a truffle foam. Wines are all Italian, naturally. bigmammagroup.com BRAT, Redchurch Street – for sharing plates Brat, slang for turbot – the much ordered and much Instagrammed star dish on the menu at this former Shoreditch strip bar – is grilled over an open wood fire grill to much dramatic effect, along with more prime ingredients.Order the Cornish moorland beef chop – slices of ruby red meat with a darkly charred bark, come lined up like dominos, their border of gamey yellow fat almost better than the meat itself. Italian tomatoes, on the side, are simply quartered, seasoned and drenched in an olive oil so peppery it catches in your throat. The rest of the menu follows the trend for sharing plates – small snacks up to giant platters. Chopped egg salad with bottarga, and bouncy, blistered, pillow-soft grilled flatbread, topped with curls of salty anchovy fillets. Sweet langoustines with earthy spikes of roasted rosemary are barely licked by the flames – still daringly see through. Spider crab, cabbage and fennel salad is refreshingly different – a careful dance between the sweet shellfish, brassica pepperiness and aniseed hit, lemon zest and chervil. For dessert try a Tomos Parry classic, brown bread ice cream marbled with marmalade. The wine list lives up to its promise, too – curated with the help of the cool gang at Noble Rot – there’s plenty for the chipper team to recommend, from supremely sippable sherries, to the grown-up Koehler-Ruprecht riesling trocken. bratrestaurant.com Seed Library, Shoreditch High Street – for sophisticated cocktails Ryan Chetiyawardana’s latest venture is a slinky drinking den in the basement of the One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. Whereas his flagship bar – Lyaness at Sea Containers in Southbank – showcases a high-concept approach to mixology, Seed Library is deliberately more casual and low key. Walk-ins are encouraged and the space, with its sultry lighting, wood-panelled walls, red velvet chairs and warm palette, feels retro and slightly louche, yet very welcoming. Expect elevated riffs on cocktail classics. Sansho Leaf Martini with Belvedere vodka, Cocchi dry vermouth and green sansho oil is clean and delicate, and subtly savoury. A Coriander Seed Gimlet is gorgeously executed, clean and citrussy with a backbone of gentle, warming spice. Galangal Pencillin swaps the traditional peated whisky for tequila and mezcal, and adds aromatic galangal for a vibrant, smoky cocktail. Bar snacks are winningly hearty, and moreish – expect the likes of deep-fried chicken hearts, beef short rib croquettes and potato smileys. seedlibraryshoreditch.com Voodoo Ray’s, Kingsland High Street – for pizza slices For some of the best slice of pizza in London, head to Voodoo Ray’s for a New York style slice. With four locations across London, this joint bakes 22-inch pizzas topped with everything from wild mushroom, squash and red onion; salt beef, sauerkraut and emmental and a vegan option, piled high with artichoke hearts and green olives. If you fancy a pizza pie for brunch, Voodoo Ray’s serve 10” pizzas on the weekend topped with classic eggs and bacon or a veggie spinach and ricotta version. With a selection of craft beers (think Beavertown, Red Hook and Kona) and frozen margaritas on offer, Voodoo Ray’s is the place to go for a late-night munch. voodoorays.com Crispin, Spitalfields – for brunch This all-day and night café can be found on a quiet corner just off Spitalfields and Liverpool Street Station. In a quirky, purpose-built zinc and glass pavilion, designed to look like an origami-folded bird, light pours into the back onto the cool polished concrete bars, and terrazzo-topped ash bar. There’s Assembly coffee from Brixton during the day, and at night Fernando Berry of Otros Vinos has helped curate a rotating wine list focussing on natural and low-intervention wines. Breakfast starts at 7.30am and covers the classics, alongside trendy new contenders. There’s an organic bacon sandwich with house ketchup; bright-yolked, boiled Burford Brown eggs with Dusty Knuckle Bakery soldiers; and Secret Smokehouse (made in London Fields) on sourdough (check out our guide to sourdough here) with soft cheese, lemon and dill. There’s avo on toast, too, plus scrambled eggs with chives and parmesan, and overnight oats with kefir, toasted seeds and compote. Order the super-crunchy, smoked ham toastie – oozing with melted cheddar, topped with a crispy fried egg and showered in finely grated, nutty Berkswell cheese. crispinlondon.com Click here to read about the best brunches in London Old Spitalfields Market, Spitalfields – for street food Spitalfields Market has a selection of street-food traders right at its heart. Choose from ultimate cheese toasties at Melt, hand-pulled noodles from the team behind Dumpling Shack at Fen Noodles, traditional wraps at Nilly's Turkish Kitchen and much more. oldspitalfieldsmarket.com Click here to read about the best street-food markets in London Smokestak, Sclater Street – for barbecue Founder David Carter launched his US-style smoked and barbecued meat stall onto the capital’s street food scene in 2013. Since then Bajan David has grown a reputation in London and beyond (praise the lord for the UK food festival circuit) for his USDA brisket, pork and beef ribs. Ribs – beef and pork – collapses from the bone with only the merest nudge. Pigtails, cut into bitesize chunks are fiddly with the bones still intact, but this isn’t a place for airs and graces, or cutlery. It’s a place to gnaw, and spit out bones. Pastrami with sour cabbage and pickles< is moreish – rudely blushing pink – amongst the dark, sticky plates that continue to stack up. smokestak.co.uk Dishoom, Boundary Street – for Bombay brasserie-style outings Inspired by the all-day Irani cafés that were an integral part of Bombay life, there are now five branches of Dishoom in London (and another in Edinburgh and Manchester), each serving Bombay breakfast, lunch, afternoon chai and dinner. Breakfasts at Dishoom have won a cult following. Not least for the bacon naan rolls – crisp bacon wrapped in tandoor-charred naan with a dollop of chilli tomato jam and cream cheese. Pair with a breakfast lassi or house chai. dishoom.com These are our favourite Indian restaurants in London Nightjar, City Road – for speakeasy vibes The busy City Road in Shoreditch seems an unlikely setting for a stylish, subterranean speakeasy bar but that’s exactly where you’ll find Nightjar. On the outside, a tall wooden door sandwiched between two cafés is the only evidence of its existence, but go inside and discover a plush space replete with candlelit tables, leather banquette seating and flatteringly dim lighting. The bar’s characteristically detailed drinks menu riffs on old cocktail recipes (ranging from the pre-prohibition to post-war periods) but adds its own twist. Try the Honeymoon – a short, fresh yet punchy blend of Glenfiddich 21-year-old whisky, Nightjar’s ‘forbidden fruit liqueur’ (a mix of citrussy pomelo, sherry and dry vermouth), Cynar, mead, lemon and geranium leaf. It's a complex drink, dry and delicately smoky, with subtle honey and aniseed notes. Drink nerds should investigate the bar’s vintage spirits menu, which is full of rare, aged spirits dating from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. barnightjar.com Boundary Hotel, Boundary Street – for rooftop vibes In fast-changing Shoreditch, Boundary is virtually prehistoric. Which is a compliment. Opened in 2009, the fact that this hotel – part of the Prescott & Conran empire – is still buzzing means it got its recipe for classy but unpretentious food, wine and bedrooms right from the off. In the basement is a small bar serving classic cocktails, and the main Boundary Restaurant, an elegant, boudoir-ish, space that wallows in the gloom, with theatrical lighting bouncing off red velvet chairs, the glass walls of its kitchen and polished cutlery. The menu here also has a strong French influence, with dishes such as roast and confit duck with a cherry sauce and salardaise potatoes and herb-crusted rack of lamb, and a good-value menu du jour (there’s also a wine club, for tastings and events, should the all-French wine list not sate your thirst). In summer the Boundary Rooftop is the ideal spot to rise above the streetside hustle and sip cocktails as the sun sets over a slightly hushed, 360-degree view of London. It’s by no means out of bounds in winter, though, with its heaters, blankets and covered pergola; shelter under a string of fairy lights with a seasonal cocktail and a sharing plate of octopus and chorizo skewers, or fish or meat dishes cooked on a Robata grill. Or just head up after dinner and sit by the outdoor fireplace nursing a digestive glass of vielle prune. boundary.london Click here to read our full review of Boundary hotel Passione Vino, Leonard Street – for wine Wine importers Luca Dusi and Federico Bruschetta have run this Shoreditch< shop since 2013, supplying Italian wines from 75 different producers to top restaurants including Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and The River Café. Behind the shop itself is a ‘secret bar’ which also spills downstairs to the basement with small tables which can be booked. There’s no wine list or menu as customers are encouraged to discuss their tastes so the team can recommend something just a little out of their comfort zone. passionevino.co.uk Click here for the best wine bars across the country Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Clerkenwell Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
Blind-tasted by our expert olive taste team, we’ve selected the best supermarket finds for your summer entertaining
Prepare to spice up your summer with a diverse range of new supermarket BBQ essentials, innovative spins on picnic classics and a sharing bread for the perfect spread. From king-sized kebabs to fish skewers and honey-glazed pork belly, we have everything you need for a summer of exciting entertaining. olive Summer Awards 2026 winners Best sharing bread Winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Herby Focaccia This versatile focaccia is a great summer staple. It's fragrant with a basil and parsley dressing, while the bread has the classic comforting focaccia texture and pleasing chew. A generous sharing bread to serve alongside dips, salads and BBQ feasts. Available from: Sainsbury's (£3.50) Runner up: Aldi Specially Selected Caramelised Red Onion & Extra Mature Cheddar Flatbread This cheesy caramelised onion flatbread is sure to be a crowdpleaser. Served warm, it has sweetness from the caramelised red onions and tang from mature cheddar. The bread has a pillowy, bouncy texture that kept judges coming back for more. Perfect for alfresco meals in the garden. Available from: Aldi (£1.99) Best antipasti platter Winner: Waitrose No 1 Italian Grazing Platter This grazing platter is a great one-stop buy to ensure your picnic has variety, saving you buying lots of different pots and tubs. It has a well-curated selection of tastes and textures for everyone to enjoy. The high-quality meat selection is a highlight with pork salami and garlicky coppa. Unusual additions include large caper berries and pickled onions that make this platter stand out from others. Available from: Waitrose (£12/380g) Runner up: Tesco Finest Spanish Meat & Cheese Selection This impressed with good quality meats and produce. The iberico cheese is mild and creamy, with a varied selection of Spanish hams including chorizo and serrano. Available from: Tesco (£6) Best aperitif Joint winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Orange Spritz A quick shortcut for Aperol fans. This ready to drink cocktail is made with sparkling wine and natural orange flavourings. It has a distinct citrussy flavour with a good element of bitter orange notes so it is not too sweet. Serve well chilled for a refreshing spritz. Available from: Sainsbury's (£6.50) Joint winner: Morrisons The Best Fino Sherry If you're looking for an aperitif that doesn't go down the spritz or cocktail route, a good sherry is not to be overlooked. This is a very high quality fino sherry: lovely almondy flavour and saline, umami notes. Would be great with salty snacks. Available from: Morrisons (£9) Best gin for summer Joint winner: Co-op Irresistible London Dry Gin A classic London dry gin that is a brilliant all-rounder to add to your drinks cupboard. Botanicals of juniper, citrus (in the form of lemon verbena) and coriander make for a smooth, well-balanced drink. Available from: Co-op (£20) Joint winner: Lidl Hortus Pink Grapefruit Gin For a flavoured gin, this is perfectly refreshing for summer. It has bold grapefruit aromas and elegant flavour – it would even work well in a twist on a negroni. Well suited for those who don't want a super sweet flavoured gin. Available from: Lidl (£16.99) Best premixed cocktail Joint winner: Sainsbury's Mojito While many canned cocktails veer too sweet, this is well balanced. It is pleasantly minty, clean tasting and just lightly sweetened for a refreshing classic mojito. Serve well chilled if possible. Available from: Sainsbury's (£1.40) Joint winner: Asda The Distiller Raspberry Mojito The bright pink hue of this raspberry mojito suggests it is going to be sweet, but in fact there's plenty of tangy fruity raspberry notes to keep this balanced. It's got a gentle fizz. Available from: Asda (£1.22) Best burger Winner: Aldi Specially Selected Wagyu Smash Burger Recreate the crispy, juicy smash burgers you've tried in all the latest trending burger spots. These Aldi burgers caramelised well for crispy edges, while the centres stayed juicy – perfect for stacking. Available from: Aldi (£3.99, available in store) Best vegan burger Winner: Lidl Chef Select Moroccan Style Burger This good-sized burger has a deep brown crust once cooked and appetising golden colour inside. A good alternative if you don't like vegan meat alternatives – this reminded judges of a well-spiced falafel, with hints of lemon and chilli. Available from: Lidl (£1.89) Best hummus Winner: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Extra Smooth Houmous This classic hummus makes an easy shortcut when entertaining – whether served with crudités for dipping, or swirled onto a platter and layered with meatballs and toppings. It has a smooth, light texture with simple notes of olive oil and tahini coming through. Available from: Sainsbury's (£3.25) Best picnic range Winner: Tesco We tried six products from Tesco’s picnic range for an impressive alfresco feast. The salty focaccia is a highlight – crisp, perfect for sharing and dunking into dips. Entertaining is made easy by the savoury pastel de nata (essentially a rich and creamy quiche with good pastry) for a centrepiece, while good quality salami and burrata are crowd-pleasing summer staples that are always good to have on standby. The tabbouleh with whipped feta is a nice lighter touch that would work equally well for a midweek lunch as a picnic sharing dish, with fresh, colourful grains on top of salty feta. How we chose the winners The olive team chose 10 categories to cover all the summer essentials. We invited all the big supermarkets to select the products they wanted to nominate (just one entry per category, so they had to choose carefully). Our expert panel of judges blind-tested them, rating each on taste, texture and appearance. We then awarded winner accolades to our favourites.
A women's health expert shares the information you wish your doctors would
Here are the insider tips that will change your gynae and sexual health care
I’ve been working in the women’s health field for 30 years and it still shocks me that only around 2% of UK public research funding, and between 1-6% in the US, goes to support a better understanding of women’s gynaecological health and childbirth. We are half of the world’s population after all. Evidence also suggests women’s pain is taken less seriously, takes longer to diagnose and is more likely to be under-treated than pain in men. As a journalist who struggled to get a PCOS diagnosis or information, I began researching and sharing my own findings. Since then I’ve authored books, spoken at support groups and spent 30 years advocating with PCOS charity Verity. I now focus on women’s health for national organisations and health-tech start-ups. And I’m obsessed with sharing properly useful tips. Here are a few of them… Schedule your mammogram just after your period Appointment reminders rarely mention how to reduce pain – despite research and feedback saying women want that help[v]. There are things you can do. Book in just after your period if you can. Hormonal changes affect how swollen and sensitive your breast tissue is. Let your mammographer know you find it painful and ask them to compress slowly so you can say if it hurts. This kind of control helps reduce pain. Avoid caffeine for at least a day, if not a week before. It can create breast tenderness. Talk about your vagina, vulva and clitoris Forget ‘down there’, ‘bikini area’ or ‘private parts’. Using the biological names gives your doctor specific information to help them diagnose and treat you faster – because there are so many different conditions, for example… Vulvodynia – ongoing burning or soreness of the vulva without an obvious infection or skin condition Lichen sclerosus – a skin condition linked to auto-immunity Vaginismus – involuntary muscle tightening that makes penetration (medical exams, tampons or sex) painful Clitorodynia – clitoris pain, often from injury or infection GSM (genito-urinary syndrome of menopause) – when hormonal changes can cause vaginal dryness, tissue shrinkage and bladder issues Bonus tip: medical influencer Dr Aziza Sesay says some women find it hard to use these words due to "taboo, stigma and embarrassment" and risk not getting the right treatment. If you need to get comfortable saying them, why not sing along to her earworm song They’re Not Bad Words?. Ask for a small speculum – or to insert it yourself – at your PAP smear If you find cervical screening uncomfortable or painful (like I used to), there are some key things you can do to make it easier. (Thanks, nurse Janine from 15 years ago, who transformed the experience for me with these tips.) Ask your healthcare professional to: start with the small speculum – as a tall and broad woman I experienced assumptions being made about a large speculum being needed, when actually I need a small one let you insert the speculum yourself – your pace, your comfort levels tell you what’s happening at each step and count down the process so you know the end is in sight give you time to do some slow, deep belly breathing – it can help relax your pelvic floor muscles, which can tighten up when you’re nervous Bonus tip: exciting news in the pipeline that a new speculum designed by women for women is in development – Lilium opens with a curved flower petals’shape for more comfort and is the first redesign of this implement in 180 years. Ask your doctor – not TikTok – about non-hormonal contraception Social media is full of influencers providing misinformation about hormonal birth control – including exaggerating side effects or overstating how well cycle tracking works (sticking to the exact instructions is hard, so around 24 in 100 women will get pregnant when tracking their fertility for a year). Ask your trusted medical professional about what non-hormonal options could work best for you. Diaphragms and caps – more like menstrual discs or cups Condoms – including internal (female) condoms Copper IUD – needs medical professional to insert it Prep with these phrases to help your doctor hear you Women’s health specialist doctor and author Nighat Arif flags key phrases to advocate for yourself. They demonstrate the efforts you have made and your willingness to challenge: I have struggled to get appropriate care for this problem My problem/pain can’t be managed with pharmacy medicines I have gone to all reasonable lengths to self-manage this situation and I now need to escalate it I am looking for X, Y, Z outcome from this appointment Please can you make a note why you are denying me this treatment? Could you please send a copy of my medical records to me after we're done? All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
The healthiest foods you can forage in the UK
We asked experts to hand-pick the healthiest edible plants you can forage in the UK, from blackberries to wild garlic
Find out more about safe foraging and how best to forage in towns and cities. Check out our elderflower recipes and find out more about samphire. Who says health foods have to be expensive? Many UK public spaces hold little-noticed multitudes of edible plants, from hedgerow berries and woodland leaves to seaweeds, samphire and dandelions. Many of these are packed with nutrients and make better eating than much supermarket fruit and veg. “You can swap in foraged foods for the foods you already know and love,” says Good Food’s Barney Desmazery, resident foraging expert. “Treat wild garlic leaves like you would spinach leaves, or treat the stalks like you would chives. If you swap like for like, the possibilities are endless.” A rainbow of edible plant species grow wild in the UK and each one has a unique nutritional profile. We spoke to seasoned foragers and a registered nutritionist to learn how to use nine of the healthiest foraged foods in your cooking – and what these plants can do for your health. How to forage safely and considerately Tips from Good Food’s Barney Desmazery: Be very careful about what you pick. Some common plants, such as hemlock, look like edible plants but are actually deadly (hemlock has similar-looking leaves to parsley or wild celery). Don’t forage on private land unless you have the landowner’s permission. Certain parks and other places can appear to be public but may actually be private. Avoid over-picking scarce or endangered edible plants. For instance, primroses are delicious little flowers but they’re becoming scarce. Be conscious of seasonality. Some plants are edible only at certain times of year, such as nettles, which can cause kidney problems (for some people) when they’re not in season. Nine healthy foods you can forage Wild garlic When to pick: late February to early May Where to find: damp, shaded woodland What it can be good for: blood pressure, antioxidant How to use it: pastries, pesto, in place of spinach Commonly carpeting damp woodland areas between February and May, wild garlic is among the most widely foraged foods in the UK. You’ll sometimes smell the plant’s pleasantly pungent aroma before you spot it. Research has identified that wild garlic may offer diverse health benefits, including antimicrobial and perhaps even antitumour effects. “As well as for its medicinal properties, it is known for containing phytochemicals and antioxidants,” says registered nutritionist, Gopi Chandratheva. “Studies have shown that alliums may help lower blood pressure and wild garlic is thought to be the most effective of the family.” One of the easiest ways to incorporate wild garlic into your diet is to use its leaves to make a wild garlic pesto, which can be added to dishes such as pasta or roasted vegetables. “You can also use the leaves in place of spinach leaves in a soup,” Barney suggests. Rosehips When to pick: September to December Where to find: sunny hedgerows and woodland boundaries What it can be good for: skin, immunity, antioxidants How to use it: syrups, cordials, preserves While all rosehips are edible, it’s the fruits of the ‘dog rose’ – a wild, climbing species – that are most commonly foraged. They often grow along sun-kissed hedgerows and woodland boundaries, and they’re traditionally picked after the first frost (for the best flavour), between September and December. “Rosehips are absolutely packed with vitamins, especially vitamin C, and you can boil them down with sugar to make a lovely syrup,” says Barney. You can also use the fruit to make rosehip cordial or rosehip and crabapple jelly. Research has shown that rosehip is good for the skin, which is likely thanks to the fruit’s high content of vitamins and fatty acids. Its vitamin C content is far higher than that of other sources such as orange juice – a fact which was not lost on Brits during the food shortages of WWII, when foraging rosehips was encouraged through a public health campaign. Dandelions When to pick: spring (flowers, leaves and stems) or late autumn to winter (roots) Where to find: lawns, parks, fields, meadows What it can be good for: liver, gut How to use it: salads, risottos, tea Many of us have dandelions growing around our homes – perhaps in greater numbers than we’d like. We should be thankful because the whole of this plant is edible, flavoursome and good for your body. Among the various health effects of dandelions, one of the most unusual is its apparent benefit to the liver. Not only does dietary dandelion protect this vital organ, it may even help to regenerate liver tissue. These good effects are thought to relate to dandelion’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. “Dandelion leaves are bitter and delicious, and you can use them in a salad,” says Barney. “If you have them in your garden or on land you control, you can put plant pots over the dandelions to prevent light from reaching them, as this makes them less bitter and more like other salad leaves. “During rationing, people made dandelion root ‘coffee’, because the plant has that sort of bitter coffee-like flavour,” he adds. Liver health and a satisfying bitterness are not the only good reasons to eat dandelion. “It provides nutrients such as vitamin C, fibre and potassium, along with bioactive compounds that may support metabolic health – though evidence in humans remains limited,” says Gopi. Sloe berries When to pick: late autumn to early winter (after the first frost) Where to find: hedgerows, canal towpaths, field boundaries What it can be good for: brain, antioxidant How to use it: flavouring spirits, syrups Sloes are the plump, patchily purple-blue berries of the blackthorn bush. In this writer’s opinion they are among the tastiest foraged foods (when made into a drink, not when eaten) and they are also understood to have some valuable health benefits, including neuroprotective and antioxidant effects. “They’re full of vitamins and antioxidant tannins,” says Barney. “A lot of people use sloes to make flavoured vodka or sloe gin but there are sober-friendly options too. “This year, I steeped sloes to make a Korean syrup called a cheong. You basically sit them in an equal quantity of sugar and let them reduce, so they release their own liquid and dilute the sugar. You end up with a very delicious sloe syrup that’s beautiful over ice cream.” You could also try making this sloe paste, that's delicious with cheese. If you can’t wait till after the first frost to pick your sloes, pop them into the freezer until frozen before using them. Nettles When to pick: early spring (before the plant has flowered – wear thick gloves!) Where to find: damp areas of woodlands, parks, gardens and many other locations What it can be good for: menstrual, menopause, prostate, blood sugar control How to use it: soups, teas, in place of spinach Please don’t eat them straight off the plant but, when prepared correctly, nettle leaves could become a tasty and valuable staple of your diet. Studies have shown these iron-rich leaves to be particularly beneficial in moderating premenstrual symptoms and hormonal changes during menopause, “I think nettles are one of the most underused food resources in the country,” says Barney. “We all know what they are, they’re more nutritious than most of the greens that we buy in the shops and they are absolutely delicious.” Nettles star in some of our favourite foraged food recipes, including ricotta ravioli. However, according to Barney, it’s important to forage this plant at the right time of year. “You shouldn’t eat them after they’ve started flowering, because they can then cause kidney problems in some people,” he advises. Wear thick gloves and long sleeves when harvesting and preparing nettles, for obvious reasons. The nettles won’t sting you after they’ve been cooked properly. Blackberries When to pick: August to early October (when the berries are black) Where to find: hedgerows, country lanes, canal towpaths What it can be good for: brain, bones, cardiovascular, eyes How to use it: jams, crumbles, raw (after rinsing) The berries of the bramble bush are a bounteous sight in many British hedgerows. Not only are they a delight when eaten raw or baked, they are also thought to be neuroprotective and good for bone health. “Blackberries contain a variety of nutrients including potassium, magnesium and calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, E and most of our B vitamins,” says Gopi. “They are also rich in anthocyanins – powerful antioxidants that give blackberries their deep purple colour. Research has shown that these compounds can protect our cells from damage and they can make a positive impact on our cardiovascular health, cognitive function and vision health, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.” It’s a simple pleasure to add blackberries to your diet. They’re lovely eaten raw (after rinsing) but can also be used to make blackberry jam, blackberry cake and many other homely, wholesome treats. Elderberries and elderflowers When to pick: August to October (elberberries) or May to June (elderflowers) Where to find: woodlands, hedgerows, scrubland What it can be good for: diabetes control, cold symptoms, heart health How to use it: cordials, syrups The elder shrub cordially invites you to enjoy a bouquet of health benefits. Via its dark tart-tasting berries or its pale and delicate flowers, this ingredient can counteract oxidative stress, manage diabetes and lower the risk of heart disease. “They also have antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties, due to their rich content of bioactive compounds,” Gopi notes. For Barney, elderberries are the ultimate food to forage for health benefits. “They’re a powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants,” he says. “Try making a syrup out of elderberries for yourself to ease a cold or a fever. Elderberry vinegar and elderflower cordial are also delicious, and the latter is quite a good source of vitamin C.” Although some foragers choose to eat elderberries raw, Barney advises that cooking them is the safer option. “It’s down to the specific variety but, in some cases, raw elderberries will give you a very upset stomach – so don’t just pick and eat them on a hike,” he says. Seaweed When to pick: spring to autumn Where to find: coastal areas, in the intertidal zone at low tide What it can be good for: blood pressure How to use it: soups, stews, dried for seasoning “Considering we’re an island with so much delicious, nutritious seaweed, it flummoxes me how little we use it,” says Barney. “In Korea and Japan most people eat it at least once a day.” Many seaweeds are pleasant to eat and almost all varieties that grow in the intertidal zone (between the high tide and low tide marks around the coast) are edible. They’re an abundant source of nutrients including fibre, protein and polyphenols, and it has been shown that eating seaweed can help us to manage our blood pressure. “There are about 700 species of seaweed in the North Atlantic but only about a dozen are good to eat,” says Craig Evans, a coastal forager. “I normally use siphon weed or pepper dulse but the main type used for food is dulse – it has the highest vitamin K (potassium) content of any food. Then there’s laver, which is the same type of seaweed used to make nori in Japan but which is used to make laverbread on the west coast of Wales.” When foraging seaweed, there are some special considerations to take into account. “You should never harvest it from near inhabited areas because it can pick up heavy metals like cadmium,” says Craig. “When you do harvest it, don’t pull it from where it attaches to the rock (which is a part called the holdfast). Instead, snip off the top third so that the seaweed can keep growing.” If you’ve successfully foraged some seaweed, try it in this bavette steak recipe. Samphire When to pick: June to August Where to find: coastal marshlands and estuaries What it can be good for: immune system, gut health How to use it: with fish and pasta dishes Another coastal treasure, samphire is rich in minerals and amino acids, and has been touted as a healthier alternative to salt which imparts a similarly satisfying flavour. It pairs beautifully with seafoods such as prawns and skate. “There are three main types of samphire,” Craig explains. “The one you tend to get in restaurants is marsh samphire, which is an annual that grows from seed in the same places. There’s another one called rock samphire, which is a perennial grass in the same root stock year after year and it tastes totally different. And then there’s golden samphire, which is about three feet tall with a yellow flower.” When harvesting samphire, use scissors to cut off the top part of the plant, rather than pulling it up. How much food should you forage? Given the hidden wealth of delicious and healthy foods you can forage in the UK you might feel tempted to start picking wild, edible plants on a large scale. It’s certainly a good thing to make foraged food a part of your diet but taking too much from nature could mean that the health benefits you enjoy are tainted with ecological harm, so we should exercise some restraint. “It’s really nice for us to pick ingredients and do stuff with them but you have to appreciate that nature relies on these foods far more than we do,” says Barney. “Don’t ever take more than you need, don’t try to make huge batches for your friends and try to pick from a broad area, rather than just one patch.” Factoring in nature’s needs it’s perhaps best to pick wild foods as a healthy dietary supplement – one that doesn’t require a trip to your local retailer of homeopathic remedies. “Foraged foods are best thought of as nutrient-dense additions, rather than miracle ingredients,” says Gopi. “While many are rich in fibre, minerals and antioxidant plant compounds, the health claims around them are often broader than the available evidence supports. The real value lies in adding diversity, seasonality and whole ingredients to your diet – factors consistently linked to better long-term health.”
Best restaurants in Somerset: where to eat and drink in this green, produce-rich county
Somerset keeps finding its way on to must-eat lists and it’s no surprise – when you’re surrounded by farms, dairies, vineyards and orchards, great plates follow. These places capture exactly why
Looking for great places to eat in Somerset? Local writer Jenna Walters shares her must-visit favourites, from wood-fired pizza in an 18th-century chapel to cider-fuelled afternoons by the river. For more exciting restaurants and weekend ideas for food lovers, check out our best UK city breaks, best pubs with rooms and foodie day trips from London by train. Also discover more of the best restaurants in Bristol, best restaurants in Cornwall and best restaurants in Bath. View Green Video on the source website The Sheppey Inn, Lower Godney Set on the Somerset Levels with little around it for miles, The Sheppey Inn is everything you wouldn’t expect – inside you’re greeted with retro toys, disco balls and live music that drifts out onto the riverside terrace, which is perfect in sunshine and during sunsets, especially with a cider or cocktail in hand. But it’s the food that really stands out: vegetarian dishes are great and the Korean fried chicken burger steals your attention – no small feat in a place this wonderfully weird. thesheppey.co.uk Canteen at Perrys, Dowlish Wake Tucked away on a cider farm with thatched barns and orchards to roam, Canteen at Perrys serves proper street food alongside café classics. Order a meze bowl, add a Perrys cider tasting paddle and settle under the blossom, or, come autumn, soak up the scent of pressed apples. Brunch is notoriously good and the Somerset tea – think scones and jam, but also scotch eggs and toasties – makes it a great coffee and cake stop. canteenatperrys.uk Holm, South Petherton Relaxed restaurant dining that celebrates the very best of Somerset’s produce is exactly what you’ll find here. Set in a former bank in South Petherton, Holm is a calm, modern space with a seasonal menu that’s shaped by local farmers, growers and makers. The wine list is superb – get acquainted with it on the sunny terrace. Go for the chef ’s menu, order the Westcombe cheddar fries and trust that you’ll be talking about the mont blanc choux long after. holmsomerset.co.uk Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton Saint George This is the kind of country pub you’ll end up recommending a lot: thatched roof, low garden with a Somerset Pimm’s beams and open fires that draw you in for a post-dog walk pint and bar snacks. In summer, afternoons in the garden with a Somerset are something of a ritual. The food is reliably excellent – especially the roasts and nostalgic puds. The molten chocolate skillet cookie is always tempting, unless local cheeses get there first. lordpoulettarms.com Da Costa, Bruton A visit to Hauser & Wirth nearly always leads to a table here. This is proper Italian cooking, shaped by the seasons and surrounding countryside. Gather with friends, go big on the sharing plates and pair a bottle with the homemade pasta – the kind you’d normally have to book a flight for. The estate venison with creamy polenta is a favourite for very good reason, and the tiramisu is absolutely essential – indulgent and boozy. da-costa.co.uk Horrell & Horrell, Sparkford Every weekend, Steve and Jules open the doors of their beautiful garden barn and personally invite you in. Or, at least, that’s how you’ll feel. The dining experience is seasonal and menu-free, with four courses guided by the week’s harvest and cooked over fire, all served at a long communal table. Expect generous, sensational dishes like wood-roasted lamb or raspberry crostata with pistachio and Italian meringue, and an evening that feels like a dinner party with friends. horrellandhorrell.co.uk North Down Orchard, Haselbury Plucknett Come summer North Down Orchard transforms into a mini festival most weekends, and locals flock to the rustic cider barn for live music and a weekly rotating line-up of seriously good street food vendors – if you smell wood-fired tacos, don’t hesitate! It’s well loved, the cider’s strong and it’s exactly where you’ll want to spend a warm evening with friends (preferably with no plans the next morning). Completely Somerset and very much a word of mouth favourite. northdownorchard.com At The Station, Frome A former train station turned buzzy food hall, At the Station is home to a brilliant mixture of independents – bakery, cheesemonger, pizzeria and wine bar – all in one lively collaborative space. Order what you fancy to share at a sunny table. Whether it’s a Rye Bakery pizza and south Indian curry, or a bottle paired with a cheeseboard you won’t find elsewhere, it’s one of the easiest places to eat well with friends. atthestationfrome.com The Cotley Inn, Wambrook This peaceful country pub surrounded by rolling hills is as much a rural escape as it is a feasting favourite. Having one of the best beer gardens around makes it the easiest ‘yes’ on summer afternoons, enjoying pizzas served from the hut or spending the evening by the fire pit. The Sunday roasts are seriously good – big sharing boards piled high with all the trimmings. It feels a bit like being on holiday, just with a Somerset cider in hand. cotleyinnwambrook.co.uk The Manor House Inn, Ditcheat A 17th-century inn and boozer at heart, this is everything you want in a proper country pub: relaxed, full of character and with great local pints and cosy corners to settle into. Seasonal, comforting pub food is done really well here and the pizzas pair superbly with lazy garden drinks. Come hungry – three courses are hard to resist. Order the scotch egg to start and leave room for the sticky toffee pudding. Welcoming and well loved, and rightly so. manorhouseinnditcheat.co.uk At the Chapel, Bruton If you spend any time in Bruton you’ll almost certainly end up here. The beautifully renovated 18th-century chapel is home to a very stylish, relaxed restaurant that serves seasonal dishes and much talked about wood-fired pizzas alongside a bakery that’s reason enough to stop by. Get there early for your pick of almond croissants, cinnamon cruffins or a Somerset ham and Westcombe cheddar croissant – or do the sensible thing and order all three before exploring. atthechapel.co.uk Wraxall Vineyard, Shepton Mallet Perched on a hillside with sweeping countryside views, Wraxall Vineyard is a place to truly slow down and enjoy yourself. Book a tour and tasting, wander through the vines, then find a spot on the terrace at The View wine bar to enjoy a Somerset cheese and charcuterie board, and a bottle of extremely sippable Wraxall bacchus just in time for sunset. For a longer stay the cottages and shepherd’s huts make for a wonderfully peaceful escape. wraxallvineyard.co.uk Foodie neighbourhood spotlight Bruton This pint-sized but flavour-steeped Somerset town has an abundance of exceptional field to fork spots, plus galleries, independents and vintage shops dotted in between. Make a weekend of it by staying at Number One Bruton – whether unwinding in the cosy cottages or beautifully decorated Georgian townhouse, you’ll arrive to a welcome hamper filled with local produce. It’s also home to Briar, where chef Sam Lomas serves hyper-seasonal, locally led small plates as part of a menu that changes daily. Wander down the high street to find The Old Pharmacy, a wine bar, bistro and grocery with great things to take home, plus a menu worth staying for. Over at Matt’s Kitchen it’s BYOB alongside a five-course set menu, cooked by Matt and served in his old living room – relaxed, welcoming and reliably brilliant. It’s also worth heading a little further afield – two or three fields, to be precise – to Westcombe Dairy for rich cheddar, or Hauser & Wirth for a post-gallery wine at Roth Bar, before shopping for Somerset bites from the farm shop opposite. More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Glasgow Best restaurants in the Lake District
17 restaurants to get sun-soaked Mediterranean vibes in London
From Michelin-starred Greek dining to sun-soaked Catalan cuisine, these are the best Mediterranean restaurants across London for you to book now, curated by the olive London team
Looking for a food-fuelled escape to the Mediterranean, without even leaving London? Using traditional recipes from the sun-soaked region and the best imported ingredients, as well as, of course, great British produce, these are the best Mediterranean restaurants in the capital for you to book right now. Has eating Mediterranean cuisine in London got you in the mood to head to the Med? Discover the best hotels for a sun-soaked Mediterranean getaway, plus 10 of the best Mediterranean islands for foodies. If you're looking for the best places to escape the crowds, check out these 8 secret Mediterranean coastal escapes to visit before everyone else does, then find out about which Mediterranean coastal roadtrip is the way to truly unwind. You could also bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your table with our best Italian recipes, Greek recipes, Spanish recipes and Turkish recipes. Our pick of the best Mediterranean restaurants in London Wildflowers, Belgravia Partners Laura Hart – whose background is in interior and floral design – and chef Aaron Potter have created a space that’s welcoming and stylish. Med-inspired dishes are cooked over coals in an open kitchen, cocktails are imaginative twists on classics (try a melon negroni or almost-dirty martini) and its understated design encourages you to relax and linger over the food. The menu includes little intrigues like Romeo & Juliets – cheese and quince one-bites – and the best versions of trending dishes, like sugar pit pork chop and Galician ex-dairy rib-eye with smoked bone marrow rice. Upstairs, the light-filled wine bar offers a decent selection, plus plenty of sherry and Italian-style snacks, making it an ideal place to swing by when shopping in Pimlico Road’s interior design quarter. wildflowersrestaurant.co.uk Oma, Borough Oma brings a slice of sun-drenched Athens to Borough, pairing Michelin-starred quality with the energy of Mediterranean street markets. Upstairs the mood is relaxed yet refined, with a menu that celebrates Greek small plates: wood-fired laffa flatbreads and açma verde, both baked in-house using wild-farmed British grains, arrive with inventive spreads like salt cod XO labneh. The crudo selection is a must, especially the yellowfin tuna with clementine ponzu and crispy garlic, nodding to the restaurant’s name (oma meaning raw in Greek). Skewers of dry-aged Cornish lamb, lobster bisque börek, and spanakopita gratin are all thoughtfully executed, but the oxtail giouvetsi — served in a clay pot with bone marrow and beef fat pangrattato — stands out for its rich, comforting depth. A 23-page wine list, spotlighting over 450 Greek producers, completes the experience. Finish with the sticky date pudding and an Oma negroni for a truly memorable Mediterranean feast. oma.london Tiella, Columbia Road Tiella emits a palpable buzz from the moment you step inside, its sun-trap terrace and vibrant interiors setting the tone for Dara Klein’s lively Italian trattoria. The open kitchen turns out family recipes with flair — her nonna’s polpette meatballs arrive in rich tomato sauce with bread for dipping, and the chicken schnitzel is lifted by a crisp salad of fennel, apple, celery, dill and parsley. Starters are equally tempting: ricotta di Romagna with Calabrian chilli and wild honey, or anchovies marinated Venetian saor style with pickled sultanas, pine nuts and onions, all best piled onto Forno’s sourdough. Pasta is a highlight — hand-rolled trie with tropea onions, datterini tomatoes and squacquerone, or cavatelli with borlotti beans in a comforting stew. The zuppa imperiale beef shin broth, soaked up with parmesan croutons, is a house favourite. To finish, the chocolate torta caprese with amarena cherries is a fittingly indulgent finale. Tiella delivers a slice of Italian sunshine in London — vivid, convivial and utterly delicious. tiella.co.uk Discover more of the best Italian restaurants in London. Pyro, Borough There’s a distinct Greek island beach club feel to this sprawling space in central London, thanks to rattan furniture, rustic wood and multiple terraces. It’s the ideal spot for a long, Cretan wine-fuelled lunch that slips into early evening mastic spritzes at the outdoor bar. Start with a selection of dips – tzatziki doused in black kalamata olive oil, creamy taramasalata with crunchy carob rusks and spiced feta with sweet florina peppers. Must-order spanakopita pastel de nata come blanketed in graviera cheese, while dry aged beef tartare is served on crisp rye crackers and pork pluma souvlaki skewers are charred over embers. If there’s a group of you, order one of the sharing showstoppers in true Mediterranean style, served on large wooden boards. Think suckling pig cooked over flaming myrtle with Mykonian-style sausage or Dorset lamb charred over alder wood to stuff into lamb fat flatbreads alongside stuffed vine leaves. pyrorestaurant.co.uk Luca, Clerkenwell Luca brings sun-soaked Mediterranean flair to London with its refined take on Italian cuisine, all crafted from top-notch British produce. Dishes like Cornish lobster taglierini, canon of Hebridean lamb with trombetta courgettes, and Hereford beef tartare cured in nebbiolo showcase this seamless blend. The 1950s Italian-inspired interiors — think blue and sage hues, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and a semi-open kitchen — set the stage for a lively, elegant dining experience where you can watch pasta being made as you eat. The all-day bar is a draw in itself, from morning espresso and pastries to lunchtime salads and evening cocktails featuring house-made limoncello. luca.restaurant Check out more of the best pasta restaurants in London. Brindisa, Borough Brindisa’s airy corner spot, complete with wraparound terrace and open windows, delivers a sun-drenched taste of Spain in the heart of London. It’s the perfect setting for a post-work drink or a leisurely weekend bite after browsing the market. Tapas classics shine here: jamón croquettes arrive golden and crisp, chorizo on toast is lifted by tangy chimichurri, and the monte enebro — fried goat’s cheese drizzled with orange blossom honey — brings a welcome hit of indulgence. Chargrilled vegetables with green gazpacho and crisp patatas bravas round out the menu. For those skipping alcohol, the Green Garden Cooler is a refreshing, botanical alternative. While larger plates can be missed, the creamy burnt cheesecake is worth saving space for. If you’re short on time, the Brindisa market stall’s chorizo roll — packed with piquillo peppers and rocket — captures all the Spanish satisfaction to go. brindisatapas.com Kima, Marylebone Kima evokes the spirit of the Greek coastline with its minimalist dining room, handmade Corfu ceramics and focus on gill-to-fin, zero-waste cooking. Whole fish glisten on ice, ready to be transformed into dishes such as sea bream crudo lifted with thyme and lemon zest, followed by the ‘shank’ of the same fish served alongside bacon-studded cabbage fricassee. A vibrant Greek salad – chopped tomatoes and cucumber crowned with aged feta and drenched in Greek olive oil – invites diners to mop up the juices with homemade sourdough. The Mediterranean theme continues through to dessert, where caramelised seaweed stars in a millefeuille-tiramisu hybrid. Cocktails showcase Greek ingredients, from mastic Votanikon gin in a basil concoction to a clarified feta twist on a classic sour, while the Greek wine list includes a minerally Santorini white, all expertly suggested by the friendly team. kimarestaurant.com Lita, Marylebone Lita exudes Mediterranean elegance, with chef Luke Hearne delivering sharing dishes in a space that marries earthy stone floors and Italian red marble with playful touches like frilly lampshades and jars of ferments. The atmosphere is both stylish and inviting, thanks to eclectic seating and a lively open kitchen. The menu celebrates Mediterranean ingredients and technique — think thinly sliced tuna with peppers, coriander and capers, veal sweetbreads in lobster bisque, and monkfish grilled then finished in the brick oven, served atop pumpkin purée and chicken butter sauce. Sophisticated cocktails, such as a currant and plum gimlet or a jasmine highball with Aperol caviar, set the tone for a meal that feels special from the first sip. To finish, a contemporary slice of Sicilian pistachio and olive oil cake with figs and blackberries concludes the experience. Its accomplished cooking and sun-soaked Mediterranean spirit makes it a destination for those seeking a celebratory meal. litamarylebone.com The Campaner, Chelsea Barracks Tucked away in the Chelsea Barracks development, The Campaner delivers a slice of Catalonia just steps from the city’s bustle. Its sun-drenched terrace is perfect for alfresco dining and people-watching, with the Garrison Chapel providing a picturesque backdrop that evokes a Mediterranean village square. The menu is rooted in Catalan tradition – think iberian ham croquetas with a balanced, creamy filling, a vibrant seafood salpicón salad and ajoblanco, bursting with fresh, summery flavours. For heartier appetites, the iberian pork rice, with smoky pork and jalapeños, is ideal for sharing and packed with bold Spanish character. Desserts shine too: the pa amb oli i xocolata offers a rich chocolate ganache, while the strawberry mille-feuille is refreshingly light for summer. For the best experience, request a table with a view of the chapel and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere, right in the heart of London. thecampaner.com Trullo, Highbury Trullo in Highbury radiates Italian charm with its seasonally driven menu and relaxed, romantic atmosphere. Wooden tables topped with white paper tablecloths and flickering tea lights set the scene upstairs, while downstairs offers cosy booths for lingering dinners. The menu, which changes twice daily to showcase the best seasonal produce, excels in fresh antipasti, silky handmade pasta – think beef shin ragu on pappardelle or squash ravioli glossed with olive oil – and larger dishes from the charcoal grill. Highlights include simply cooked meat and fish paired with soft polenta or salsa verde, and, if available, Padella’s famed pici cacio e pepe. The dynamic wine list always offers a few options by the glass, such as the vibrant natural Puglia Miro, and cocktails like the coffee negroni complete the evening. trullorestaurant.com Ustun Lahmacun & Pide Salonu, Stoke Newington This unassuming and bijoux traditional Turkish establishment on Green Lanes serves up some of the thinnest, crispiest and most flavourful lahmacun (Turkish flatbreads) in the area – topped with minced lamb, parsley, tomatoes, onions and peppers. It has something of a cult following and it takes just one bite of the warm, rolled-up, salad-stuffed Turkish bakes to see why. Everything is hand-kneaded, freshly rolled and wood-fire baked to order. The pide (Turkish pizza) menu is vast, with toppings like lamb, Turkish sausage, feta, halloumi, eggs and even Turkish pastrami. ustunlahmacun.com Brutto, Farringdon Brutto in Farringdon channels the sun-drenched spirit of Tuscany with its unfussy, old-school charm – think red gingham tablecloths, framed pictures and a focus on conviviality over flash. The menu is built for sharing, with small plates of delicate rabbit pappardelle and richly nostalgic tagliatelle ragu, plus antipasti of dough balls paired with prosciutto and stracchino. Mains lean towards beef, including perfectly cooked T-bone steaks by weight and a robust Tuscan beef shin stew, though pork and fennel sausages with lentils offer a satisfying alternative. Desserts nod to tradition, from a feather-light apple tart to crisp hazelnut meringue ‘ugly but good’ biscuits with vanilla ice cream. Brutto proves that honest, flavourful cooking need no embellishment – just good company and a bottle from the Tuscan-led wine list. msha.ke/brutto Chargal, Mayfair Chargal on Berkeley Street delivers elevated Mediterranean-Turkish panache to Mayfair, just steps from Green Park. Spread across three floors, it offers a lively ground floor bar, fine dining and a chic late-night lounge, all unified by warm, attentive service. The open-fire kitchen is at the heart of the experience, with standout dishes like pure-bred wagyu kofte piyaz and lamb cooked with classic Turkish spices. Sharing is encouraged — don’t miss the mixed meze, featuring cacık, muhammara and hummus alongside seasonal crudités, or the chargrilled halloumi with cherry, hot honey and sesame. The mangal grill stars on the main menu but the Greek wild seabass with smoked bay leaf and honey-lemon dressing is a Mediterranean highlight. Signature cocktails and creative mocktails, such as the Passiflora with passion fruit, ginger and honey, tops off the offering, making Chargal a must for those seeking authentic Mediterranean warmth and conviviality in London. chargal.com Zephyr, Portobello Road Zephyr, tucked beside Portobello Market, delivers a cool and clamorous take on Greek-fusion dining in Notting Hill. The mood is lively, the air scented with smoke and herbs, and the meal begins memorably: charred sourdough with oregano and pillowy pittas, perfect for scooping up silky taramasalata, cooling tzatziki, or smoky aubergine dip. The tasting menu is a highlight — think melt in the mouth tuna ceviche dressed with olive oil and yuzu, prawns grilled with a splash of ouzo, and, stealing the show, lamb cutlets lightly spiced, barbecued to a pink blush, and best eaten with your hands. Sophistication arrives in the form of a crisp potato terrine crowned with metsovone (smoked cheese) custard, yet the atmosphere remains relaxed and unpretentious. For dessert, the burnt olive oil cheesecake is decadence itself. zephyr.london Bottarga, Chelsea Bottarga, with its art-filled candlelit space and an open kitchen, draws you in. The focus here is on hero dishes which champion exceptional Greek ingredients: silky taramasalata crowned with cod’s roe, anchovies with sheep’s milk butter and crisp flatbread, and a standout bottarga orzo — creamy, rich and perfectly matched with tender lamb. The Greek salad, vibrant with caper leaf, barrel-aged feta and rusks, is a must. Chef Tzoulio Loulai’s menu nods to tradition without being bound by it, as seen in the cult favourite chocolate burnt cheesecake and salted caramel. A Greek house soundtrack completes the lively, contemporary atmosphere. bottarga.london Sparrow Italia, Mayfair Sparrow Italia brings a touch of Mediterranean glamour to Avery Row, set within an elegant townhouse. The menu is a celebration of classic and inventive Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, with sharing pastas like cacio e pepe and puttanesca alongside luxurious options such as lobster acqua pazza. Seafood and expertly prepared steaks add to the sense of occasion. Seasonal menus, such as a decadent truffle selection with dishes and cocktails to match, keep things fresh and enticing. The ground floor’s striking floor-to-ceiling bar sets a lively tone for aperitivi, while the third-floor lounge offers a more intimate escape, complete with a curated cigar collection. sparrowitalia.com Maremma, Brixton Maremma in Brixton conjures the sun-soaked spirit of south-west Tuscany with a compact, lively space where dried flowers, a sage-green counter and exposed brick walls adorned with wild boar and octopus illustrations set the tone. The kitchen turns out Tuscan dishes with precision: think pepper-crusted wild boar cutlet and belly with balsamic figs, or a ragu enriched with herbs and fennel seeds, tossed through silky homemade pappardelle. Starters like octopus with crushed new potatoes, dressed in Tuscan olive oil and lemon, and tortelli Maremmani — ricotta and spinach stuffed pasta topped with crispy sage — showcase the region’s produce. The wine list is exclusively Maremma, featuring elegant sangiovese blends and bold chardonnay, while the cocktail menu highlights regional spirits such as Seven Hills gin and a unique Maremma vermouth. Maremma delivers for diners seeking genuine Tuscan flavours and convivial neighbourhood charm. maremmarestaurant.com Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Chelsea Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in King's Cross Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Notting Hill Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
From Ukrainian fine-dining to Greek-fusion, these are the restaurants in Notting Hill to visit – reviewed and curated by olive’s London team
Looking for Notting Hill restaurants? Check out our ideas for eating and drinking locations in Notting Hill, from Portobello Road to Westbourne Grove and Golborne Road... For more like this, check out our picks of the best restaurants in Chelsea, best restaurants in Mayfair or the best restaurants near Oxford Street. Meet the local "The area I grew up in, and still live near, has really blossomed food-wise. A stroll down Portobello Road now offers all sorts of brilliant places to eat – modern British cooking tucked away upstairs at The Fat Badger and some of the best Italian food I’ve had at the canteen below, and then my family’s favourite Indian spot, Dishoom Permit Room – where, if you get the right table upstairs, you can see my childhood bedroom window," Barney Desmazery, olive team member Meet the expert "Our family favourite is The Cow for Guinness and pints of prawns, plus hearty stews and a fab chicken kyiv. I also love Akub for Palestinian plates (the lamb shank is fabulous) in a chic, homely setting tucked away from the hustle and bustle," Alex Crossley, olive team member Best places to eat and drink in Notting Hill Trogolo, Westbourne Grove – for Tuscan sharing plates Trogolo, from the family behind Petersham Nurseries, brings an authentic taste of Tuscany to Notting Hill. The narrow restaurant is set with low lighting, rustic stools and cosy tables for two, plus a tiny terrace that will be the tables to nab in summer. Begin with snacks from the bancone menu. Salamis and cheeses go with warm fluffy schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread) and mini buns are filled with herby slow-cooked pork. The crostini topped with melted pecorino and crispy pancetta drizzled in Petersham honey was a standout. Follow with pasta and secondi. Butter chicken is impeccably juicy, both marinated and cooked in fragrant butter. Even when we were full, we made sure to finish the generous portion of crispy roast potatoes (cooked in impressive quantities of butter). Liberal use of rosemary adds fragrance throughout, from the cannellini bean dip at the start to elegant cocktails. The classic tiramisu is made with homemade mascarpone for an extra rich, creamy finish. Wine is core to the experience too – co-founder Giovanni Mazzei comes from the historic Mazzei wine family and the wine list offers plenty of discoveries. After giving our usual preferences, the friendly and knowledgeable sommelier matched us perfectly to new glasses of red. trogolo.uk Acre, Golborne Road – for simple food using quality, in-season ingredients Acre is the little sister to Thomas Straker’s flagship restaurant just a few doors away on the lively Golborne Road. It’s an inviting, corner spot – we emerged through heavy velvet curtains into a warmly lit room that felt a little bit like a snug Paris bistro. You may know Straker from his Insta fame and some of the dishes are already viral hits (like the chilli cheese smashburger, which is on and off the menu). Aside from that, the concise menu is a beautiful balance of top-notch ingredients and spot-on cooking. Deep-fried crunchy bites of pork belly came with a punchy herb and za’atar sauce for dipping. A main of pearly, fall-apart cod cooked with white beans and winter tomatoes was comfort heaven. The drinks are also on point – try the sweet/sour yuzu drop cocktail or a glass of complex, savoury nebbiolo. A nostalgic pudding of vanilla-spiked, creamy custard topped with poached pink rhubarb was a deliciously simple end to the meal. acre-london.com Empire Empire, All Saints Road — for contemporary Indian Empire Empire plays out like a Punjabi disco party in the middle of Notting Hill. Harneet Baweja (of Gunpowder) has built it as both curry house and soundtrack-led hangout: murals on the walls, a jukebox playing Indian hits and a photo booth to capture memories of a great experience in this bustling space. Crisp tiger prawn Amritsari pakoras come with dill and caper chutney that cuts neatly through the batter. Kale patta chaat is a loud tangle of fried kale with yogurt, tamarind and sev. The chicken malai kalimirch tikka, marinated in hung yogurt, was as soft as marshmallow, bathed in a smoky, creamy sauce. Curries were well-balanced but overshadowed by what preceded them. King prawns kadhai masala with roasted peppers delivered a punch. And no Indian restaurant would be complete without its take on butter chicken. Here tandoori meat is slow-cooked then pulled and folded through a creamy tomato and fenugreek sauce. Choose saffron rice and a laccha paratha – you’ll need them to mop up the sauce. Saffron milk cake, soaked and fragrant, topped with cream, was a light end to the meal. A Pataka margarita kept things bright, and a can of Disco lager from 40ft Brewery did the job alongside the spice. empire-empire.restaurant SINO, All Saints Road – for contemporary Ukrainian fine-dining At their chic fine-dining restaurant on All Saints Road, Ukrainian partners Polina Sychova and Eugene Korolev pay homage to their homeland. Minimal, contemporary interiors include a striking piece made from hay (translating to ‘sino’ in Ukrainian), brushed clay walls and sweeping banquettes. Chef Eugene gives traditional Ukrainian dishes a contemporary stamp, kicking off with the likes of bitesize sorrel potato waffles topped with soured cream and smoked pike roe, and marinated aubergine alongside Kyyrma smoked cheese flatbread and spiced adjika dip. Mains include glazed chicken and beef cheek dumplings in a spiced, fragrant oxtail and lemon verbena broth, while pickled beetroot ribbons with sliced plums doused in walnut oil makes a vibrant side. For dessert, the elevated honey cake layers are crowned with buckwheat chocolate in a moat of whipped walnut sauce. Eastern European wines hail from Kyiv, Georgia’s Kakheti region and the Black Sea, and Ana Reznik plays with nostalgic flavours in clever cocktails. sinorestaurant.co.uk Canal, Westbourne Park – for modern European on the water's edge Find this canal-side spot tucked down a cobbled mews between Notting Hill and Maida Vale and built into the new Mason & Fifth hotel-apartment complex. Its towpath perch on the Grand Union Canal sets a modern, urban stage for food that’s both precise and packed with flavour. Provenance is proudly front and centre – sourdough comes from Layla, while charcuterie like jamón and Mangalitza sausages arrive from Coombeshead Farm. The menu is cleverly pitched so there’s something for everyone. A fat diner-style cheeseburger bucks the smashburger trend and feels all the better for it, while scallops arrive plump and caramelised, served in their shells with ’nduja butter begging to be mopped up with that sourdough. Crab on toast is so fresh it tastes like it’s just left the boat, and chicken with sweetcorn and girolles might be the most impressive chicken breast you’ll eat this year. Desserts are just as memorable – a tiramisu that’s unapologetically boozy, and a brown butter almond cake with sour cherries that’s indulgent yet balanced. mason-fifth.com Ria's, All Saints Road – for deep-dish Detroit pizza Ria’s is a cosy neighbourhood spot selling deep-dish Detroit-style pizza and natural wines. It is a spot for all occasions, full of charm and character, with a light upstairs for lunches with your friends, and a cosy downstairs, perfect for a date. Ria’s ferments its dough for up to 72 hours, which gives it a deeper flavour and a deliciously chewy crust. Deep-dish pizza is filling but the pies at Ria’s never feel too much. It offers a range of whole pies and slices to suit your appetite. Our favourite flavours were the Dave’s Hot Pep and the garlic wild mushroom. The first has a red sauce base, laden with pepperoni, soppressata, chillies, stracciatella and hot honey. The latter has a white sauce base with wild mushrooms and a burnt onion jam – perfectly cheesy and tangy. There is a great range of wine to sip alongside your slice at Ria’s, as well as on-tap cocktails from Black Lines and a good range of soft drinks: we enjoyed the ginger Rapscallion Soda for its spicy kick. Treat yourself to a deep-fried Mars bar with soft serve vanilla ice cream to finish. Sprinkled with a little bit of sea salt, it is the ultimate treat. rias.world The Pelican, All Saints Road – for gastro pub classics done properly The Pelican brings old-school British pub dining into modern focus, with confident cooking and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. It works with regenerative farms and sources vegetables from its own market garden at Bruern Farms. Menus shift with the seasons but dishes stay generous and gutsy. Snow crab on toast is brightly bound with a lemony mayonnaise, while welsh rarebit arrives thick and bubbling over sourdough. We try two mains: a pan-fried seabass fillet with a sharp salsa verde and sauce vierge, and crisp-edged lamb sweetbreads with braised lettuce and peas – all spot on, and the golden chicken pie to share looks like one to return for. A dark, deeply treacly sticky toffee pudding rounds things off. The Pelican doesn’t overdo it – good produce, cooked with care and a nod to gastro pub classics done properly, something so many other pubs just can’t seem get right. thepelicanw11.com Dishoom Permit Room, Portobello Road – for casual Indian-inspired dishes Dishoom’s latest all-day pub-café brings the vibes of Mumbai to Notting Hill. Set on a bustling corner of Portobello Road, the space is bright, art-filled and fizzing with energy. By day, it teems with families, tourists and local workers; by night, a vintage jukebox hums in the background; and at weekends DJs spin vinyl. The menu is a playful mash-up of Dishoom classics and new bar-friendly bites. Crispy spinach chaat arrives as a tower of crunch, spice and tang. Chicken Pick-Me-Ups –drumsticks with Indo-Chinese seasoning – are sticky, fiery and impossible to eat quietly. Chakli, the coiled, spiced snack, is crisp and moreish. Prawn moilee is delicately sweet, lifted by turmeric and curry leaf, while the legendary house black daal remains the warm hug you hope it will be. Mattar paneer delivers soft cubes of cheese and bright green peas in a richly spiced tomato gravy. Drinks are as key to the experience as the food (this is a pub, after all). The old fashioned is coconut-washed and smooth as silk, while the Sober Summer negroni is bright and herbal. Dishoom IPA makes a bold, hoppy companion to the food, along with local beers and thoughtful soft drinks. permitroom.co.uk akub, Uxbridge Street – for Palestinian cooking Tucked away in a quiet street behind Notting Hill Gate, Akub is Palestinian chef Fadi Kattan's first UK restaurant (after Fawda in Bethlehem). The contemporary space is split over three levels including an inner courtyard with retractable roof, adorned with olive trees, floral wall hangings and chic lamps. Palestinian ingredients are peppered through the cocktail list, from a red shatta-infused tequila margarita to za'atar-laced martinis. Wines are sourced from Palestine, Galilee Highlands, Lebanon and beyond. Start with a variety of breads to dip into handmade ramekins of shatta (made from the likes of fermented jalapeño and coriander) and moutabal (red lentil-style hummus), plus a trio of labneh balls rolled in spices such as za’atar and turmeric. Small plates include arak-cured seabass and roast aubergine laden with pine nuts, tahini, herbs and pomegranate seeds. A highlight from the larger plates is lamb shank, its juices melting into an aromatic mahlab and mastika sauce, best accompanied with mint and pine nut flecked courgettes on garlic yogurt. To finish, try fenugreek and cardamom baba or Dead Sea chocolate cake with tahini ice cream, paired with a special arak aged in black oak that you can only get here due to Fadi’s connections in Palestine. akub-restaurant.com Dove, Kensington Park Road– for chic neighbourhood comforts Jackson Boxer's latest venture is a revamp on seafood restaurant Orasay – a place the chef wants to be accessible but still feel special. This is evident in the menu, where comforting classics are peppered with pops of intrigue, such as octopus gildas alongside fino sherry and tonic. The springy potato pizzette comes laden with folds of mortadella and a burrata ball, while the yuzu-laced tuna tostada makes a lighter option. Next, helmeted grilled Atlantic prawns in a zippy smoked garlic and black lime butter and Iberiko tomatoes drizzled in spicy chilli oil and soured cream. The must-order (if you can, only 10 are made for each service) is an umami-rich hunk of a burger formed from 50-day, dry-aged beef rib cap, brisket and chuck, flame-grilled with gorgonzola dolce and champagne-braised Lyonnaise onions so caramelised and melded together in a glazed potato roll… best accompanied with crunchy duck fat chips. Those too late are rewarded instead with sharing cuts such as wood-roast chicken in Café de Paris butter, 30-day Tamworth pork double loin chop and 50-day Highland beef sirloin chop. Finish with a fior di latte soft serve doused in peppery olive oil alongside chewy oat cookies. This next iteration takes Dove into neighbourhood haunt territory. dove.london Zephyr, Portobello Road – for Greek-fusion Simple ingredients are lifted with a breath of smoke and herbs at Zēphyr, a cool and clamorous Greek-fusion restaurant by Portobello Market in Notting Hill. The tone is set from the bread basket featuring charred sourdough with oregano, as well pittas for scooping up silky, saline taramasalata, tzatziki or smoky aubergine dip. Opt for the meat-based tasting menu and you’ll still be treated to melt-in-mouth tuna ceviche (dressed with olive oil and yuzu), then prawns grilled with a splash of ouzo. But the star of the show remains the lamb cutlets; lightly spiced then crusted by the barbecue, and blushingly pink in the middle – eat with your hands for an even more satisfying experience. A side of crispy potato terrine topped with a metsovone (smoked cheese) custard adds an air of sophistication but there are no formalities here. To finish, the ‘burned’ olive oil cheesecake hits Olympian peaks of decadence. zephyr.london The Blue Stoops, Kensington Church Street – for a lively gourmet pub Allsopp’s has opened a lively pub near Notting Hill Gate, named for its original site in Burton on Trent. Overseeing the food is Lorcan Spiteri, whose menu is hale and hearty – chicken, leek and mushroom pie; Old Spot pork chop; chips and mash – punctuated with more trend-aware choices like anchovy toast, pressed potatoes with mussel velouté and pistachio tart. Along with cask ales, a short aperitif list includes artisan British drinks like Artemis red vermouth, Smith Hayne cider and Hepple gin. Décor is classic pub, which vintage beer signs and a blackboard of daily specials. thebluestoops.com Belvedere, Holland Park – for smart Italian Belvedere, a west London institution with its picture-perfect home in leafy Holland Park has had a glow-up thanks to new chef Lello Favuzzi. Now the menu matches the majestic surroundings with turbot, langoustine and caviar all making a play for your attention. Taking influences from his Italian roots and using carefully sourced ingredients from Italy and the UK, this is food to be savoured slowly, either on the terrace overlooking the park or inside the grand dining room. But stuffy it isn’t – go for pappardelle or a pizza, too, albeit topped with truffle. Highlights are Welsh lamb, lobster linguine for two and Lello’s tiramasu. Wines offered by the glass and carafe encourage experimentation, with English and orange wines joining Italian and French classics. belvedererestaurant.co.uk The Barbary, Westbourne Grove – for counter-dining with a Southern Europe and North African flavour At night this welcoming corner site on Westbourne Grove literally glows, as much due to its warm colour scheme and clever lighting as its lively open kitchen where chefs cook over fire. Grab a counter seat to watch heat-packed dishes prepared: Kapia pepper and feta brulée; house-made merguez; whole chilli cauliflower. More Southern Europe to North Africa (Barbary Coast) influences are seen in scallop aquachile; coffee-rub chicken; pata negra pork chop and crispy saffron rice. Cocktails – smoked pineapple paloma; saffron negroni – show imagination and match up to the menu’s punchy flavours. thebarbary.co.uk/notting-hill Julie's, Portland Road – for brasserie classics Iconic is a word often used to describe this west London institution, with its history of celebrity visitors and intrigue. Now chef patron Owen Kenworthy is at the helm, its well-executed brasserie classics has earned it a reputation for its menu, too. Highlights include clever snacks such as spider crab toast; tuna tartare served with house-made crisps from the raw bar; grills and salads including a luxurious lobster caesar. While the menu has a French flavour, ingredients sourced closer to home from suppliers, such as Shropshire’s Linley Farm, underline the kitchen’s commitment to regenerative agriculture. A martini trolley and potent cocktails ensure the balance between virtuous and decadent. juliesrestaurant.com Viajante 87, Notting Hill Gate – for cocktails An ambitious, continent-spanning menu and a chilled-out yet buzzy feel set the tone for this plush, Latin American inspired bar. Viajante means traveller in Spanish and the team’s globe-trotting approach to flavours is reflected in a lively menu that takes you from familiar classics (palomas, spicy margaritas) to drinks made with lesser-known ingredients you may not have come across before. Groups can order carafes of agave spirits or caipirinhas, and you can even create your own custom cocktail. The Mole Manhattan is a tribute to Mexico’s national food, mole, using fig leaves and Criollo de Oaxaca mezcal infused with cacao and sesame along with vegetal Cynar for an evocatively earthy and nutty cocktail – a must order. The Charanda Old Fashioned is another star, made with Mexican Uruapan rum, Patrón reposado and amburana seed, the latter adds vanilla and toffee notes for a sumptuous drink. Martini fans should delve into the Martini Malcriado (herbaceous from brown butter sage mezcal) and the bracingly icy Glacier Martini. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Leche de Bichos made with floral raicilla spirit, anise hyssop and jocoque, a Mexican fermented yogurt. Creamy with gentle anise notes, it’s an intriguing note to round off your visit. viajantebar.com Walmer Castle, Ledbury Road — for British-inspired pub dining Notting Hill’s Walmer Castle pub has had an excellent do-over by publican Jack Greenall (also of The Surprise in Chelsea). References to the area, pre-loved furniture and locally made fittings makes for the ideal décor for an area that includes Portobello Road. The ground floor is a proper pubby bar with a fire in the grate, art worth a closer look on the walls and a welcoming vibe. The menu gives you what you want from a modern pub including pork and fennel sausage rolls, braised ox cheek, halibut with smoked tomato and corn risotto, and a dry-aged beef burger. Vegetarian dishes such as celeriac schnitzel and gnocchi with hazelnut pesto are a cut above, and puddings include the crumble, and, of course, sticky toffee pudding. walmercastle-nottinghill.co.uk Los Mochis, Farmer Street — for Baja-Nihon cuisine Pioneering Baja-Nihon cuisine (a blend of Mexican and Japanese) expect a mix of ceviche, sashimi and tiraditos on offer. The taco menu is a great place to experiment, with 18 variations including the signature miso cod, and pato carnitas with teriyaki duck. Add a tequila or mezcal flight from the huge selection. losmochis.co.uk SUMI, Westbourne Grove — for top-quality sushi The bright and airy space, with pale wood panelling, large windows and outdoor decking, perfectly suits the calm practice of SUMI’s sushi chefs. Watch them prepare stunning courses of fresh nigiri on bouncy and neat rice mounds, and wrap wafer-thin sheets of nori seaweed round the likes of minced red tuna and fermented mooli, or diced scallop with delicate purple hanahojiso flowers to make signature temaki rolls. Menu highlights are the seaweed salad coated in a creamy tahini dressing with toasted almonds, and a ceviche showcasing seasonal sustainable fish among a picture-perfect plate of peppers, corianders, marigold and a zingy yuzu dressing. Superb seared Japanese A4 wagyu is served with charred puntarelle and a jug of yuzu onion sauce. Finish by gliding a bespoke wooden spoon through the matcha mille cake’s thin layers of vibrant green, matcha-infused double cream and ultra-fine crepes. Don’t skip cocktails — the popular kawaii ne is a delicate mix of sake, local Portobello gin, lychee and yuzu, while the smoky boulevardier offers a much punchier blend of peaty whisky, umeshu plum sake, Antica Formula and Campari. sushisumi.com Gold, Portobello Road – for neighbourhood vibes Gold is a buzzing restaurant and late-night bar on London’s Portobello Road which puts cooking over coals at its heart. Split into raw, charcuterie and cheese, salads, vegetables and plates, all the dishes are designed to share. Portions are hearty though, so start off steady and see how things go. Charred pears with burrata welcome the salty tang of Tuscan ham, while a bouncy farro salad with sweet peas, broad beans and Berkswell cheese steals the show with its fresh flavours. The dessert menu is worth bringing a crowd for so you can unashamedly order them all. Honey rum babas arrive as boozy as they should be, with plenty of lemon verbena cream, while buttery sable biscuits layered with raspberry and mascarpone are lifted further with the crunch of praline. goldnottinghill.com Core by Clare Smyth, Kensington Park Road – for fine-dining The tablecloths might be missing at Clare Smyth’s debut but the tone is undeniably formal. Don’t let that be confused with stuffy, though – Britain’s most lauded female chef has made her first solo mark thoroughly modern. Décor is stripped back and contemporary – via a small bar (where you can eat, too), you’re led to a dramatic chef’s table in front of the glass-fronted kitchen, and through to the bright dining room. Colchester crab royale to start comes in three parts – a bowl of sweet white meat surrounded by a moat of brown meat, a crab doughnut and a flute of shellfish broth. A single Isle of Mull scallop is cooked over wood fire and delivered under a cloche of smoke. A brackish, buttery sauce is lifted by herbs and chopped coral pearls of roe. corebyclaresmyth.com Caractère, Westbourne Park Road – for date night The debut modern French/Italian restaurant from married culinary couple Emily Roux and Diego Ferrari, in the heart of London’s fine-dining territory. There are influences from both their ’hoods, namely France and Italy, and an unconventional approach to menu writing, grouping sections as character traits, ‘curious’, ‘subtle’, ‘delicate’, ‘robust’, ‘strong’ and ‘greedy’. It’s some of the more veg-centric dishes that wow the most. Celeriac cacio e pepe with aged (25 years, no less) balsamic vinegar steals the night early on. Ticking multiple trend boxes without being gimmicky – the al dente root added an earthiness we didn’t know such a classic needed. caractererestaurant.com Words by Barney Desmazery, Alex Crossley, Keith Kendrick, Charlotte Morgan, Ellie Edwards, Hannah Guinness, Laura Rowe Check out more London restaurant guides here: Best restaurants in Marylebone Best restaurants in Mayfair Best restaurants in Fitzrovia Best restaurants near Oxford Street Best restaurants in Brixton Best restaurants in Kings Cross Best restaurants in Battersea Best restaurants in Shoreditch Best restaurants in Camden Best restaurants in Covent Garden Best restaurants in Soho Best restaurants in London Bridge Best restaurants in Hackney Best restaurants in Paddington
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